Slug bug

If Dayton Diary stories are the kind of stories that “only happen at UD,” then this is a story that would only happen at University Hall.

Back in the ’60s and ’70s, University Hall was an all-male residence hall about 6 miles west of campus in a building that was formerly a veteran’s hospital. We were our own little island out there, which created an atmosphere of camaraderie and support. But it also created opportunity for some pretty good hijinks. 

The building had a big freight elevator in the back, and in the spring of 1968, my friends and I decided to pull an epic April Fool’s prank. We took the keys of my buddy Bob Moncuse ’71 to “borrow” his car — a beige Volkswagen Bug — and drove it right into the freight elevator and pushed the button for the third floor. We wanted to park it right in front of his room. 

Now this wasn’t a willy-nilly decision — it took some thought … and measurements. Luckily our foundational math courses paid off and it fit like a glove. But once we got to the third floor, we hit a snag. Apparently, our measurements were a little off on the turn out of the elevator and the VW didn’t quite make it, getting stuck in the middle of the hallway. So, we left it.  

Everyone got a kick out of the prank, even Bob, but the laughter stopped when campus security found the car. They left a big fat parking ticket on the windshield. But don’t worry, we all chipped in to help pay it.  

—VINNIE BUTLER ’70 AS TOLD TO NICOLE L. CRAW