January 28, 2009
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High School Nicknames
The other night I was reliving the glory days of my football coaching career. I was thinking of a particular game that was a defensive battle. My team won with a late touchdown and with that win we also won the conference title. The team we played had one of the most bizarre nicknames I have ever seen first hand. They were the Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms.

That image comes from the school’s official website which can be found here.
When I was in the booth radioing to the coaches on the sidelines I noticed that the Awesome Blossoms even had a young girl dressed as the Blossom. She was having a horrible time. She was in tears and obviously didn’t want to be dressed as a mighty flower. I kept waiting for them to bring out food from Chili’s or Outback whichever has the blooming onion.
This got me thinking of some of poor nicknames of collegiate and high school sports teams. In this post I’ll just include some of my favorite high school nicknames.
Alabama
Montgomery: Sidney Lanier - PoetsAlaska
Diomede - Dateliners (I bet Chris Hansen jumps out at halftime and makes everyone take a seat)
Ketchikan - King Salmons
Palmer - Moose
Point Hope: Tikigaq - HarpoonersArizona
Bagdad - Sultans
Gila Bend - Gila Monsters
Mesa: Heritage Academy - Heroes
Yuma - Criminals
Arkansas
Bauxite - Miners
Hartford - Hustlers (Larry Flynt?)
Harrison - Golden Goblins
Marmaduke - Greyhounds
Morrilton - Devil Dogs
Ozark - Hillbillies
Prescott - Curly Wolves
Stuttgart - Rice Birds
Wonderview - DaredevilsCalifornia
Coalinga - Horned Toads
Concord - Minutemen
French Gulch: Nawa - Steelheads
Hollister: San Benito - Hay Balers
Lakewood: Mayfair - Monsoons
Laundale: Leuzinger - Olympians
Lincoln - Fighting Zebras
Los Angeles: Hollywood - Shieks
Los Angeles: John Marshall - Barristers
Los Angeles: Manual Arts - Toilers (fitting since it is a school of manual art)
Los Angeles: Ribet Academy - Fighting Frogs
Los Angeles: Thomas Jefferson - Democrats (his official party name was the Democratic Republicans)
Los Olivos: Dunn HS - Earwigs
Napa - Vintage Crushers
Sacremento: St. Francis - Troubadours
Venice - Gondoliers
Yuba City - HonkersColorado
Alamosa - Mean Moose
Aspen - Skiers
Brush - Beetdiggers
Fort Collins - Lambkins
Poudre - Impalas
Rocky Ford - Meloneers
Windsor - Wizards
Connecticut
Avon: Avon Old Farms - Winged Beavers
East Hampton - Bellringers
Kent: Marvelwood School - Screaming Pterodactyls
Milford: Jon Law - Lawmen
Moodus: Nathan Hale-Ray - Noises
Woodstock Academy - CentaursFlorida
Daytona: Seabreeze - Fighting Sandcrabs
Englewood: Lemon Bay - Manta Rays (Steve Irwin’s arch-nemesis)
Fort Lauderdale - Flying L’s
Key West - Conchs (When they school assemblies only the kid with the conch may speak)
Laurel Hill - Hoboes
Tarpon Springs - Spongers (named after some cheap relatives?)Georgia
Cairo - Syrupmakers
Savannah: Johnson - Atom Smashers
Clarkston - AngorasHawaii
Kailua - Surfriders
KaMakani: Hawaii Prep - Gentle Breeze
Pahoa - Daggers
Idaho
Camas Co. - Musher Dogs
Clark Fork - Wampus Cats
Shelly - Russets
Orofino - Maniacs
Sun Valley: The Community School - Cutthroat Trout
Illinois
Arcola - Purple Riders
Centralia - Orphans / Orphan Annies
Cobden - Appleknockers
DeKalb - Barbs
Effingham - Flaming Hearts
Fisher - Bunnies
Freeport - Pretzels
Fulton - Steamers (at least no school in Cleveland has that nickname)
Galesburg - Silver Streaks
Hampshire - Whip-Purs
Hoopeston - Cornjerkers (have you ever had your corn jerked?)
Kewanee: Wethersfield - Flying Geese
Lake Forest Academy - Caxy's
Monticello - Sages
New Berlin - Pretzels
Rock Island - Rocks
Tuetopolis - Wooden shoes
Woodhull: Alwood - Aces
Zion-Benton - Fighting Zee-BeesIndiana
Cloverdale - Clovers
Crawfordsville - Athenians
Delphi - Oracles
Frankfort - Hot Dogs
Hobart - Brickies
Indianapolis: Northwest - Space Pioneers
Jimtown - Jimmies
Logansport - Berries
Madison: Grant - Argylles (they have to have the coolest uniforms)
Plymouth - Pilgrims
Rising Sun - Shiners
Shoals - Jug Rox
Speedway - Sparkplugs
Union Mills: South Central - Satellites
Vincennes: Lincoln - AlicesIowa
Akron-Westfield - Westerners (Because Iowa is out west)
Burlington: Notre Dame - Nikes (Nike is “Victory” in Greek)Center Point/Urbana - Stormin’Pointers
Clinton - River Kings / Queens
Fort Madison - Bloodhounds
Iowa City: City HS - Little Hawks
Muscatine - Muskies
Pocahontas - Maidens (girls teams only)
Scattergood: Friends - Scattergood Crew
Sheldon - Orabs (Not Arabs stands for orange & black_Kansas
Hesston - Swathers
Lawrence - Chesty Lions (visit their website for the explanation!)
Salina: St. Johns Military - Muleskinners
Kentucky
Bowling Green - Purples
Louisville: Sacred Heart - Valkryies
Erlanger: Lloyd Memorial - Juggernauts
Silver Grove - Big Trains
Somerset - Briar JumpersLouisiana
Crowley - Ladies/Gents
Farmerville - Fighting Farmers
Metairie - Chipmunks
New Orleans: Newman - GreeniesMaine
Brewer - Witches
Falmouth - Yachtsmen (This must be where the Bush family has one of their residences)
Lee Academy - Pandas
Morse - Ship Builders
Orono - Riots
Penobscot Valley - Howlers
Maryland
Allegany: Campers
Annapolis: Key School - Obezags
Baltimore: Dunbar - Poets
Crisfield - Crabbers
Sandy Spring: Friends School - WildebeestsMassachusetts
Ashland - Clockers
Lexington: Lexington Christian Academy - Lasers
New Bedford - Whalers
Westford - Grey Ghosts
Michigan
Bad Axe - Hatchets
Bessemer - Speedboys/Speedgirls (They made an appearance in a reality series about Watersmeet)
Colon - Magi
Dearborn: Fordson - Tractors
Detroit: Cass Tech - Technicians
Detroit: Southeastern - Jungaleers (So that is where ICP derived the name Juggalo)
Dexter - Dreadnaughts
Grand Rapids: Gateway - Geckos
Gwinn - Modeltowners
Ida - Blue Streaks
Ishpeming - Hematites
Jackson: Northwest - Mounties
Kingsford - Flivvers
Midland - Chemics
Mt. Clemens - Battling Bathers
Unionville-Sebawing Area - U.S.A Patriots
Watersmeet - Nimrods (This school was featured in a reality series on Sundance Channel called Nimrod Nation. Excellent show)
West Iron County - Wykons
Wayne: Memorial - Zebras
Zeeland: East - Chix
Zeeland: West - DuxMinnesota
Aitkin - Gobblers
Blooming Prairie - Awesome Blossoms
Jordan - Hubmen (I lived near this town and no one could explain what a Hubmen was other than it was a town where two major highways that lead to the Twin Cities met)
Minneapolis: Roosevelt - Teddies
Minnetonka - Skippers (I wish Alan Hale was their mascot)
Sauk Centre - Main Streeters
Thief River Falls - Prowlers
Two Harbors - AgatesMississippi
East Union - UrchinsMissouri
Clarkton - Reindeer
Hickman - Kewpies
Maryville - Spoofhounds
West Plains - Zizzers
St. Louis: University High - Junior Billiken
Montana
Chinook - Sugar Beeters
Deer Lodge - Wardens
Forsythe - Doggies
North Toole Co. - Refiners
White Water - PenguinsNebraska
Fairbury - Jeffs
Lincoln: Lincoln - Links as in chain links
Minden - Whippets (They celebrate victories in style)
Omaha: Benson - Bunnies
Omaha: Mercy - Monarchs (The butterflys)
Pender - Pendragons
Ord - Chanticleers
Nevada
Cheyenne - Desert Shields
Indian Springs - Thunderbirds (A school around me has the nickname Thunderbirds but maybe this one refers to the magical elixir)
Tonopah - Fighting Muckers
Virginia City - MuckersNew Jersey
Belvidere - County Seaters
Fair Lawn - Cutters
Vineland - Fighting Clan (Thankfully not associated with the KKK)New Mexico
Carlsbad - Cavemen
New York
Albany: The Doane Stuart School - Thunderchicken
Fort Edward - Flying Forts
New York: Automotive - Pistons (self-fulfilling prophecy)
New York: Cardozo - Judges (self-fulfilling prophecy)
New York: Sinatra school of the Arts - Legends (That has to be the best school nickname ever considering the school is named after THE Legend)
New York: Stuyvesant - Hitmen (seeing it is New York City…self-fulfilling prophecy)
New York: Edison - Inventors
Tarrytown: Sleepy Hollow - Headless Horsemen
Warrensburg - BurgersNorth Carolina
Durham - School of Science & Mathmatics - Unicorns
Greensboro: Grimsley - Whirlies
Kernersville: Bishop McGuiness - Villians
Washington - PamPackNorth Dakota
Adams-Edmore - Prowlers
Casselton: Central Cass - Squirrels
Grafton - Spoilers
Minot - Magicians
Napoleon - Imperials
New Salem - Holstiens
Ohio
Avon Lake - Shoremen/Shoregals
Barberton - Magics
Chillicothe: Unioto - Sherman Tanks (I wonder if they get licensing fees)
Cincinnatt: Taft - Senators (with a name like Taft you’d think they would be the Presidents or Justices)
Cleveland: Glenville - Tarblooders
Cleveland: Jane Addams - Executives
Cleveland: John Marshall - Lawyers
Garretsville: Garfield - G-Men
Crooksville - Ceramics
Fredericktown - Freddies
Fremont: Ross - Little Giants (Hopefully the get Rick Moranis to coach their football team)
Marion: Harding - Presidents
New Philadelphia - Fighting Quakers (But aren’t Quakers pacificts)
Parma: Normandy - Invaders
Philo - Electrics
South Webster - Jeeps
Urbana - Hillclimbers
Oklahoma
Beaver - Dusters (that is a scary nickname maybe sexy if the cheerleaders wear French maid costumes)
Chickasha - Fighting Chicks (That has to be a girls school)
Enid - Plainsmen
Haskell - Haymkers
Oregon
Bend - Lava Bears
Lakeview - Honkers
Portland: Episcopal - Aardvarks
Portland: Roosevelt - Roughriders
Pennsylvania
Allentown: Allen - Canaries
Aliquippa - Quips (what a witty team)
Biglerville - Canners
Boiling Springs - Bubblers (if they were in Wisconsin their mascot would be a drinking fountain)
Canonsburg: Canon-McMillan - Big Macs (not a McDonald’s reference but they are Scottish)Cranberry - Berries
Hatboro-Horsham - Mad Hatters
Haverford - Fords
Industry: Western Beaver - Golden Beaver (mmmmm golden beaver)
Karns City - Gremlins (Not STRIPE!)
Mars Area - Fightin' Planets
North East - Grape Pickers
Northhampton - Koncrete Kids
Philadelphia: Franklin - Electrons
Philadelphia: St. Hubert - Bambies (very intimidating)
Punxsutawney - Woodchucks (Not Phil?)
Williamsport - MillionairesRhode Island
Coventry - Knotty Oakers
East Providence - Townies
Pawtucket: Bishop Keough - Koalas (Because the Koala is native to Rhode Island)South Carolina
Mullin - AuctioneersSouth Dakota
Centerville - Tornadoes
Dell Rapids - Quarriers
Gettysburg - Battlers
Lake Preston - Divers
Lead-Deadwood - Golddiggers (Al Swearengen would be proud as would Paris Hilton)
Newell - Irrigators
Parker - Pheasants
Phillip - Scotties
Rapid City Central - Cobblers
Sturgis - Scoopers (You’d think this school would have a fiercer sounding nickname seeing they have the annual bike rally there)Tennessee
BellBuckle: The Webb School - Feet
Chattanooga: Central - Purple Pounders
Chattanooga: Girls Prep - Bruisers (fitting for a girls school)
Hendersonville - Commandos
Gray: Daniel Boone - Trailblazers rivals with Crockett HS
Jonesborough: David Crockett - Pioneers rivals with Boone HS
Nashville: Harpeth Hall - Honeybears
Texas
Bryan: St. Michael - Dragonslayers
Cameron: Yoe - Yoemen
Cuero - Gobblers (I wonder what they gobble)
Falfurrias - Fighting Jerseys
Freeport: Brazosport - Exporters
Hereford - Whitefaces
Houston: Morris Academy - Praying Hands
Hutto - Hippos
Italy - Gladiators
Itasca - Wampus Cats
Lewisville - Fighting Farmers
Mesquite - Skeeters (SKEET SKEET SKEET)
Munday - Moguls
New Braunfels - Unicorns
Port Lavaca: Calhoun - Fighting Sand Crabs
Robstown - Cottonpickers
Springtown - Fighting Porcupines
Taylor - Fighting Ducks
Van - Vandals
Winters - BlizzardsUtah
Beaver - Beavers (That’s sort of cheap)
Granite - Farmers
Jordan - Beetdiggers
Manti - Templars (A lot of conspiracy theorists attend this school)
Vermont
Burlington - Seahorses
Montpelier - Solons
Virginia
Fluvanna County - Flying Flucos
Hampton - Crabbers
Highland Springs - Springers (The only team in America endorsed by Jerry Springer)
Madeira - Snails (gotta be tough for the track team)
Portsmouth: Churchland - Truckers
Prince George - Royals
Richmond: John Marshall HS - JusticesWashington
Blaine - Borderites
Eatonville - Cruisers
Illwaco - Fishermen
Lake Washington - Kangaroos
Mercer Island - Islanders
Richland - Bombers
Ridgefield - Spudders
Pateros - Billiegoats
Waterville - ShockersWashington, D.C.
Cardoza - Clerks
West Virginia
Inwood: Musselman - Applemen
Man - Hillbillies
Poca - Dots (That’s right they are the Poca Dots)
Wisconsin
Antigo - Red Robins
Appleton: West - Terrors
Ashland - Oredockers
Bayfield - Trollers
Butternut - Mighty Midgets
Clintonville - Truckers
Cuba City - Cubans
DeForest - Norskies
Dodgeville - Dodgers
Elk Lk-Glenbeulah - Resorters
Elk Mound - Mounders
Fall Creek - Crickets
Fond-du-Lac: St. Mary's Springs - Ledgers (My school lost to this school in a state championship football game. They are called the Ledgers because they are on the ledge of a hill)
Horicon - Marshmen (I was in this gym for a playoff game and the mascot is simply a guy standing among some reeds)
Hurley - Midgets (That can’t be politically correct)
Kaukana - Galloping Ghosts
Kimberly - Papermakers
Laona - Fighting Kellys
Madison: East - Purgolders
Manitowoc - Shipbuilders
Mellen - Granite Diggers
Milwaukee: Washington - Purgolders (A team I played against in high school were known as the Blugolders simply because their colors were blue and gold)
Milwaukee: Pius XI - Popes
Mineral Point - Pointers
Monroe - Cheesemakers
Nekoosa - Papermakers
Oconomowoc - Coons
Platteville - Hillmen
Rhinelander - Hodags (Beware the Hodags)
Washburn - Castle Guards
Weston: Everest - Evergreen
Watertown - GoslingsWyoming
Big Piney - Punchers (I wonder if they have a boxing team)I'll do the college post some other time. I still have a music post coming.
Comments (16)
*applause*
Helloooo?! You pick practically every other mascot in my entire state but left out the Merrill Bluejays! lol represent for sure.
I can speak for all of us who live in/near Blaine when I say "Borderites" is the crappiest nickname ever. They use the fucking Peace Arch as their mascot! Way to drive fear into the hearts of their opponents.
Ah, my sister is a minuteman.
And my mom boasts that she used to be a Beaver. 8-|
@musicofthemoment -
Oh no, I didn't include every school in Wisconsin. My high school nicknames were rather mundane. The first was Rams and the second is Knights. I actually wonder if I could find every high school in Wisconsin and their nicknames.
@Shy___Away -
Wow...that really sucks. I would be afraid to be a coach there and yell about taking out the other team and then have to be reminded of the peace arch.
@beachblondie711 -
The Beavers...there is a high school near me that has Beavers for a nickname. Well I was driving through a town that was playing the Beavers for homecoming and I saw a float in the high school parking lot that said "Let's Eat Us Some Beavers"
Representing Ohio =p
New Philly- they have a nice mall, but they obviously lack intelligence with the "Fighting Quakers" nonsense.
Fredricktown Freddies is... special.
I was a Louisville Leopard. And yes, we pronounce the 'S' in LouiSville. I think it's proposterous not to.
Now I'm a Kent State University Golden Flash. Pretty fiesty, right? Well, when it comes down to it, our students fight the National Guard over Vietnam. So I guess that makes us 'flash'y.
Rice Birds? Lambkins? I'm surprised other teams don't kick their asses before the game in the parking lot.
Lol, some of these are seriously ridiculous. I guess there is nothing of that nature in Delaware.
@twistedmistletoe -
Wow, I never expected to have people that went to the schools on this list. Oh wait I read that wrong, sorry. The Golden Flashes make all these lists of the worst college nicknames. That is a pretty interesting theory as to how they got that nickname. Have they always been the Golden Flashes? Because Marquette is now the Golden Eagles. They used to be the Warriors but the directors felt that it was demeaning to the Native Americans so they changed it to Gold and then Golden Eagles. I only know that because I was looking at trying to get into their school of theology.
@jacksoncroons -
It reminds me of an old Saturday Night Live sketch where they decided to change the nickname and they finally ended up with the Flaming Folding Chairs. I am thinking of the nicknames of schools I played against. As I mentioned above I lost to the Ledgers in the state football championship game. My first high school we played a school that was known as the Zephyrs and the mascot was a train. My second high school I played against a team that that was called the Redmen which I always took great pride in beating because of my ethnicity. The towns that formed that school were Galesville, Etrick, and Trempeleau so when the local papers or tv stations had them on the air it always said GET High. Someone tipped them off and now it is always G-E-T. It was always fun to see the football schedule come out and see when we had GET High. I'm a sad man that I remember all of this.
@TiRocKiinPiinK -
Well there was one school listed in Delaware however I didn't find it that out of the ordinary.
I liked the Appleknockers. I wonder what their cheerleader outfits were like. Maybe they had a motto like "Knockers - Juicy to the Core"? or "Salivate - then Bite"? "Don't Squeeze the Knockers"?
@curiousdwk -
I like the first motto. I bet their cheerleader uniforms were better than the uniforms my school's cheerleaders wore. Skirts below the knees and long sleeve sweaters. Yeah...apparently showing skin is sinful just like that school didn't have school dances until my sophomore year in 95/96 because they were worried that dancing might lead to sex. Guess that brings up the old joke: Why don't Christians have sex standing up? It may lead to dancing.
NC School is like rrrriiiiiight by campus. haha. how queer. unicorns. yeah i said it.
Comments are closed.