At some point in most of our lives, each of us has probably been a lion or a wildcat, maybe a viking. According to CheatSheet.com, the top three most common athletic team names – from the high school to the pros – are 1) Eagles, 2) Tigers and 3) Bulldogs. To celebrate the not-so-common mascots, we’ve gathered a handful of our favorite but oft-overlooked uncommon mascots from across the country. Enjoy!
Poca Dots (West Virginia)
If Virginia is for lovers, then West Virginia is for punners. The founders of this Poca schools tradition definitely had a sense of humor and an appreciation for wordplay. The Dots of Poca, West Virginia unarguably top our esteemed “Most Groan-able Pun” category. The mascot is literally a red, rabid-looking dot, and it’s fantastic.
Rocky Ford Meloneers (Colorado)
Bob Dylan once said, “Inspiration is hard to come by. You have to take it where you find it.” The one-and-only Meloneers of Rocky Ford, Colorado, seem to have found their inspiration in a shorts and sneakers clad watermelon man. According to the Rocky Ford High School website, the story of the “meloneer” goes back to the 1920s, when the student body chose it to simultaneously represent “something indefinable,” as well as, the “juicy filling inside a luscious watermelon,” an agricultural staple in the area. They really are one in a “melon.”
Blooming Prairie Awesome Blossoms (Minnesota)
No need to be modest when you know you’re this awesome. Hailing from Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, the Awesome Blossoms are no field of daisies. In fact, they are some spicy sprouts not to be trifled with. Despite multiple attempts over the years to change the name, “Awesome Blossoms” has stuck for almost a hundred years, and we hope it sticks for a hundred more.
Napa Vintage Crushers (California)
Vintage High School was hip before hip was cool. While “Vintage Crusher” may sound like a kombucha-infused energy shot you’d buy at Urban Outfitters, it’s actually a name that pays homage to Napa County’s most important industry. And like a fine wine, the Napa Vintage Crushers have a bold and robust quality that will leave you wishing for more.
Frankfort Hot Dogs (Indiana)
Before this adorable Super Bowl Commercial, before Slinky Dog from Toy Story, and before my grade school friend adopted a dachshund named Boggart who could both fit inside of and once ate an entire tube sock, there were the Frankfort Hot Dogs. When the town’s original founders decided to name it “Frankfort” in honor of their German heritage, they unknowingly paved the way for a future generation to follow suit in establishing the “Frankfort Hot Dogs” in honor of another German-inspired American tradition. We aren’t mad.
No matter your mascot – wildcat or weiner dog – showcase what makes your school unique. At Team Fitz, we design high-quality banners, flags and more customized with your unique school colors and logos. Check out our products, and then get in touch with a Team Fitz representative today.