Funny or strange high school and college nicknames

[ftballfan]

Here are a lot of strange high school nicknames from Michigan:

Adrian Maples
Algonac Muskrats
Alpha Mastodons (closed in 1967)
Amasa Hematites (closed in 1966)
Ann Arbor Greenhills Gryphons
Ann Arbor Huron River Rats
Ann Arbor Steiner Storm
Bath Bees
Bay City Saint Mary Shillelaghs (closed in 1966)
Benton Harbor Dream Academy Toros
Bessemer Speedboys/Speedgirls
Birmingham Seaholm Maples
Bloomfield Hills Andover Barons
Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook-Kingswood Cranes
Boyne Falls Loggers
Burton Genesee Christian Soldiers
Channing Railroaders (closed in 1971)
Charlevoix Red Rayders
Coldwater Pansophia Academy Pumas
Colon Magi
Copemish Cyclones (closed in 1963)
Dearborn Edison Sparks (closed in 1952)
Dearborn Ford Trade Craftsmen (closed in 1952)
Dearborn Saint Alphonsus Arrows (closed in 2003)
Detroit Cesar Chavez Academy Aztec Eagles
Detroit Communication and Media Arts Pharaohs
Detroit Community Hurricanes
Detroit Denby Tars
Detroit Douglass Hurricanes
Detroit Midtown Academy Magic
Detroit Pershing Doughboys
Detroit Saint Anthony Teutons (closed in 1969)
Detroit Saint Casimir Crescents (closed in 1969)
Detroit Saint Charles Dragons (closed in 1967)
Detroit Saint Cyril Sharks (closed in 1971)
Detroit Saint David Aviators (closed in 1971)
Detroit Saint Gabriel Trumpeteers (closed in 1970)
Detroit Saint Gregory Cherokees (closed in 1969)
Detroit Southeastern Jungaleers
Detroit Southwestern Prospectors
Detroit Western International Cowboys
Dexter Dreadnaughts
Durand Railroaders
East Lansing Lakeside Christian Gators (closed in 1996)
Edwardsburg Eddies
Escanaba Eskymos
Felch Foresters (closed in 1971)
Felch North Dickinson Nordics (a consolidation of Channing and Felch)
Ferndale University Driving Eagles
Flint International Flames
Flint Michigan School for the Deaf Tartars
Flint Open Tasmanian Devils (closed in 1983)
Flint Valley Gators
Fremont Providence Christian Storm
Gladwin Flying G's
Goodrich Martians
Grand Rapids Gateway Geckos (closed in 2007)
Grand Rapids Saint Joseph Seminary Rouges (closed in 1979)
Grandville Calvin Christian Squires
Gwinn Modeltowners
Hamtramck Cosmos
Hannah Saint Mary Griffens (closed in 1968)
Harbor Springs Harbor Light Christian Swordsmen
Hart Lakeshore Academy Voyagers (closed in 2007)
Hastings Saxons
Holland Dutch
Holland Black River Rats
Ishpeming Hematites
Jackson Northwest Mounties
Kalamazoo Central Maroon Giants
Kalamazoo Phoenix Fury
Kingsford Flivvers
Luther Tops (closed in 1965)
Madison Heights Bishop Foley Ventures
Manistique Emeralds
Marenisco Milltowners (closed in 2004)
Marshall Academy Griffons
Melvindale Academy for Business and Tech Gators
Morley-Stanwood Mohawks
Mount Clemens Battling Bathers
New Baltimore Anchor Bay Tars
Plymouth Salem Rocks
Port Hope Bluestars
Redford Saint Mary Rustics (closed in 1992)
Royal Oak Dondero Oaks (closed in 2006)
Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy Dragons
Saint Clair Shores Lake Shore Shorians
Saint James Beaver Island Islanders
Saint Joseph Catholic Ponies (closed in 1969)
Shepherd Morey Charter Malamutes (closed last year)
Temperance Bedford Kicking Mules
Three Oaks Oakers (closed in 1966)
Vassar Vulcans
Vulcan Giant-Killers (closed in 1964)
Warren De La Salle Pilots
Waterford Skippers (closed in 1983)
Waterford Kettering Captains
Waterford Mott Corsairs
Watersmeet Nimrods
Wayne Memorial Zebras
Zeeland East Chix
Zeeland West Dux

Source: http://michigan-football.com/t/schools.htm

[nexus73]

There's plenty of oddball names out there but the combination of city, nickname and county hit their peak in Utah with the Beaver Beavers of Beaver County...LOL!

For a name resulting from a merger, how about the Weston-McEwen TigerScots of Oregon?  Honorable mention to The Dalles-Watonka HS Eagle Indians!  For naval-sounding names that come from the timber industry we also have the Powers Cruisers and Toledo Boomers in Oregon. 

Rick

[pianocello]

My favorite from the QC area is the Moline Maroons

EDIT: I completely forgot the Rock Island Rocks

[mightyace]

One from Michigan that I thought was strange was
Edsel Ford Thunderbirds from Dearborn

I once knew someone who went to school there.

[agentsteel53]

Iron Wood Fighting Midgets.  Wisconsin.

[vdeane]

Potsdam Sandstoners (NY)

[US71]

Mattoon (IL) Green Wave

[Scott5114]

Hooker Horny Toads (OK). That is all.

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

Delta State Fighting Okra

[ftballfan]

Iron Wood Fighting Midgets.  Wisconsin.

Did you mean the Hurley Midgets? Ironwood is the Red Devils and they are in Michigan.

One from Michigan that I thought was strange was
Edsel Ford Thunderbirds from Dearborn

I once knew someone who went to school there.

Here are some more from Michigan:
Alpena Saint Anne Couturemen (closed in 1950)
Ann Arbor Pioneer Pioneers
Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart Gazelles
Bloomfield Hills Kingswood Aardvarks (closed in 1985)
Boyne City Concord Academy Explorers
Bridgman Bees
Brimley Bays
Calumet Copper Kings
Charlevoix Northwest Academy Navigators
Dearborn Fordson Tractors
Detroit Austin Friars (closed in 1978)
Detroit Immaculata Blue Angels (closed in 1983)
Detroit Riverside Academy Gators (closed in 2003)
Detroit Saint John Berchmen (closed in 1950)
Essexville Garber Dukes
Farmington Hills Mercy Marlins
Grosse Pointe Woods Our Lady Star of the Sea Tunas (closed in 1993)
Lake Linden-Hubbell Lakes
Lansing Capital Homeschool Chariots
Lansing Christian Pilgrims
Litchfield Terriers
Monroe Saint Mary Kestrels (closed in 1987, Kestrel nickname still used to refer to girls teams at Monroe Saint Mary Catholic Central)
Mount Clemens Saint Louis Muskrats (closed in 1970)
Muskegon Shoreline Homeschool Breakers
Muskegon West Shore Christian Nets (closed in 1989)
Nahma Arrows (closed in 1967)
Rock Little Giants (closed in 1977)
Romulus Summit Academy Dragons
Roseville Sacred Heart Thorns (closed in 1971)
Saginaw Eisenhower Commanders (closed in 1988)
Saginaw MacArthur Generals (closed in 1988)
Saint Clair Saints
Saint Ignace LaSalle Saints
Sault Sainte Marie Loretto Angels (closed in 1971)
Standish Golden Arrows (closed in 1958)
Swartz Creek Dragons
Trout Creek Anglers (closed in 1967)
Warren Regina Saddleites
Williamsburg Mohawks (closed in 1958)

[mgk920]

My favorite from the QC area is the Moline Maroons

Menomonee, MI also calls themselves the Maroons.

Here in WI, a few standouts include:

Appleton East - Patriots
Appleton North - Lightning
Appleton West - Terrors (mascot is a wolf and it carried over from when West was just 'Appleton HS')
Clintonville - Truckers (city is home of FWD-Seagrave)
Eau Claire Memorial - Old Abes
Fond du Lac Saint Mary Springs - Ledgers
Freedom - Irish
Hortonville - Polar Bears
Kaukauna - Ghosts
Kimberly - Papermakers (mascot is a wasp)
Manitowoc Lincoln - Ships
Marinette - Marines
Menasha Saint Mary - Zephyrs (mascot is a train)
Milwaukee Pius XI - Popes
Milwaukee Rufus King - Generals
Neenah - Rockets
Rhinelander - Hodags
Waupaca - Comets

Mike

[mightyace]

And, if a school in Detroit got named after the Ambassador Bridge, you could have:

Ambassador Bridge Fighting Morouns!  

EDIT:
Of course, the school would continuously be in court fighting probation!

[kurumi]

Pekin, Ill. was named after Peking (Beijing). Until 1980, its high school nickname was (not making this up) the Chinks.

[oscar]

On the college front, there's the famous UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs.  (I still have the T-shirt.)

The Stanford student body, unsatisfied with Cardinal (the color, not the bird), voted to go with Robber Barons.  The trustees would have none of that, though.

[1995hoo]

Hooker Horny Toads (OK). That is all.

What did one horny toad say to the other?

–Rubbit, rubbit, rubbit.



On the university front, the University of California at Irvine are the Anteaters. Their baseball team plays my alma mater's this coming weekend in the NCAA Super Regionals.

VPI's teams used to be called the Fighting Gobblers before they changed to Hokies.

I've always wanted the University of Southern California Trojans to play the South Carolina Gamecocks. Cocks versus Trojans!

[nexus73]

1995hoo, the two USC's played in 1980 at the Coliseum (Trojans won 23-13) and in 1983 the rematch was in South Carolina, where the Gamecocks won 38-14.  That was the year George Rogers won the Heisman for the Carolinians.

Being a fan of Oregon State, we have had plenty of fun on our forums with the potential headlines of a Cocks vs Beavs game...LOL!

Rick

[1995hoo]

1995hoo, the two USC's played in 1980 at the Coliseum (Trojans won 23-13) and in 1983 the rematch was in South Carolina, where the Gamecocks won 38-14.  That was the year George Rogers won the Heisman for the Carolinians.

Being a fan of Oregon State, we have had plenty of fun on our forums with the potential headlines of a Cocks vs Beavs game...LOL!

Rick

I did not know that (but then, I was born in 1973, so that's not much of a surprise). I imagine the headlines today might be more fun simply because there's so much more sports coverage than there was then and it's so much more easily accessed.

[Grzrd]

Gainesville (GA) High Red Elephants

EDIT

Steering slightly off-topic to minor-league hockey; back in the era of the NHL Atlanta Flames franchise, another Georgia city had a minor-league team: the Macon Whoopee.

[ftballfan]

Here's a site I found that lists them from all over the country: http://www.tekonsha.k12.mi.us/scaa/Teamnames.htm

[huskeroadgeek]

One of the most unique nicknames I have heard of(now retired) is the Devils Lake, ND Satans. It was changed in 2002 and they are now the Firebirds. I'm surprised it lasted that long before it got too controversial.

[triplemultiplex]

Ashland, WI:  Oredockers

People already covered the other good ones from that area (Hodags, Midgets & Nimrods)

[hm insulators]

Delta State Fighting Okra

I think there's a small college (or perhaps a high school) in or near Monterey, California with a team called the Fighting Artichokes.

On the Hawaiian island of Kauai, there is the Waimea Menehunes. And my senior year of high school was at Kauai High School, whose team nickname is the Red Raiders.

[huskeroadgeek]

Delta State Fighting Okra

I think there's a small college (or perhaps a high school) in or near Monterey, California with a team called the Fighting Artichokes.

On the Hawaiian island of Kauai, there is the Waimea Menehunes. And my senior year of high school was at Kauai High School, whose team nickname is the Red Raiders.

Texas Tech University is the Red Raiders too.

[mgk920]

Ashland, WI:  Oredockers

People already covered the other good ones from that area (Hodags, Midgets & Nimrods)

Too bad that the ore dock in Ashland, WI is being torn down....

Mike

[mightyace]

Delta State Fighting Okra

My alma mater, Bloomsburg University of PA lost to them in the 2000 NCAA Division II title and I didn't remember "Fighting Okra", I guess because they are officially the Statesmen. http://www.gostatesmen.com/

"Fighting Okra" is an unofficial mascot but apparently well liked: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delta_State_University

Mascots

Delta State has two mascots (one official, one unofficial). Since its inception, Delta State's mascot had been officially known as the "Statesman" because of the role State Rep. Walter Sillers, Jr. played in the location of the school in Cleveland. Sillers was speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives for 20 years. The female version of the mascot is the "Lady Statesman".

However, since the late 1980s, the student body has embraced a mascot that depicts a piece of okra (a vegetable) wearing boxing gloves and brandishing a fierce expression.[10] The "Fighting Okra" grew out of humor among students about the improbability that anyone would find a "Statesman" particularly frightening. In the mid-1990s, a student vote was taken, resulting in the university taking on "The Fighting Okra" as an unofficial mascot. The "Fighting Okra" was featured in the "Okraphobia" episode of the Food Network show Good Eats.[11]

The popularity of "The Fighting Okra" grew so much that there were many myths started on how the mascot came to be, the most popular of these stating there was a stubborn okra plant on the first base of the baseball field that grew back every time it was cut. The true origin of the fighting okra mascot was born from a discussion between basketball and baseball players in the "Court of Governors" dormitory. A basketball player (Houston Williamson) was lamenting the fact that a "Fighting Statesmen" was not particularly frightening to their opponents. All present agreed that an alternate mascot would have to be mean and green. After a lively discussion and many suggestions, a baseball pitcher (Bob Black) suggested that okra was green, fuzzy and tough. The DSU baseball team began using the chant "Okra! Okra! Okra! Okra!" at DSU basketball games.

The unofficial "Fighting Okra" mascot has provided an illustration of a generational divide in comic sensibilities. Many older alumni find the Okra embarrassing and inappropriate, while younger alums find that it appeals to their sense of irony and their taste for absurd humor.

I think there's a small college (or perhaps a high school) in or near Monterey, California with a team called the Fighting Artichokes.

On the Hawaiian island of Kauai, there is the Waimea Menehunes. And my senior year of high school was at Kauai High School, whose team nickname is the Red Raiders.

Texas Tech University is the Red Raiders too.

IIRC Shippensburg University of PA used to be called the Red Raiders, but apparently they are just called the Raiders now: http://www.shipraiders.com/