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.