 The Rutgers University Glee Club traces its roots back to 1872, making it among the oldest glee clubs in the country.Strongly attached to the history of Rutgers University, the Glee Club's early repertoire was dominated by songs of school spirit and the emerging collegiate sport of football, which by tradition began in New Jersey at a game between Rutgers and Princeton University.After the tenure of beloved director Howard McKinney, for whom the Glee Club's rehearsal hall is named, F. Austin "Soup" Walter became director in 1933 and began to shape the group into a more serious musical ensemble.