UNIQUE HIGH SCHOOL MASCOTS

Argument of Judgment

ABINGTON GALLOPING GHOSTS

Abington honors early football great Red Grange,

nicknamed the “Galloping Ghost,” who was a

teammate of a former coach at Abington. After a visit

by Grange to the area in the 1950’s, the high school

decided to name its teams after him.

WESTERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY

A Leatherneck is another name for a marine. WIU

is a top Law Enforcement program in the nation

along with a high population of ROTC members.

ALVA GOLDBUGS

This name was inspired by the school’s principal in

the 1920’s. He was a great admirer of Edgar Allan

Poe and especially liked Poe’s “The Gold Bug.” He

conceived the idea of awarding paper goldbugs to

outstanding and talented students. The name soon

applied to Alva’s teams.

ANACONDA COPPERHEADS

The old Anaconda Copper Company located in

town may be the source for this nickname.

AMBRIDGE BRIDGERS

The town is named for the Ambridge Bridge

Company, which was once located in Ambridge. The

mascot is a bridge worker.

ANAHEIM COLONISTS

The city of Anaheim was created by German

immigrants in 1857 as a wine-making colony.

APOPKA BLUE DARTERS

This is a term for a blue-winged, pigeon-sized bird

that is known for darting through wooded areas.

Chosen in 1932 because it matched the school colors

(blue and white) and its small size and aggressive

nature seemed appropriate for the school’s rather

small but speedy teams.

ASHLAND CLOCKERS

Commemorates Ashland resident Henry Warren’s

invention of the electric clock, which was

manufactured in the city.