LIST: The most unique mascots in Oregon high school sports
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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Oregon's various landscapes and diverse cultural history are always reflected in the most fascinating ways.
While most high schools and colleges across the country opt for more conventional options like Eagles, Wildcats, or Warriors, several places in the PNW have stayed away from the more normal options.
Whether they are mystical legends derived from the volcanic terrain of Central Oregon or trademarks of local industry, here's a closer look at how Oregon schools use their mascot selections to honor their local culture.
- Bend Lava Bears: A legendary animal that is thought to prowl the lava beds of Central Oregon. Although no actual lava bear has ever actually been seen. Even so, this mascot remains a distinctive symbol of Bend's volcanic terrain.
- Grants Pass Cavemen: The Cavemen mascot honors the Oregon Caves National Monument, which is located nearby. The Oregon Caveman Club used cave-themed parades and events to promote local tourism in the 1920s, which is when the branding first appeared.
- Tillamook Cheesemakers: This mascot proudly represents the town's dairy industry, as it is home to the famous Tillamook Creamery. It pays homage to one of Oregon's most well-known commodities.
- Sherwood Bowmen: This mascot was influenced by the Robin Hood legend and a group of WWII war veterans that helped boost morale.
- Astoria Fighting Fishermen: This mascot celebrates Astoria's close links to the fishing industry while showcasing the city's maritime heritage. Historically, their female teams were referred to as the "Lady Fish," demonstrating a lighthearted acknowledgment of gender differences in mascot names.
- North Medford Black Tornado: This mascot came from a big win in 1928, and is one of the few named after a weather phenomenon that exudes strength and unpredictability.
- Huntington Locomotives: The small town of Huntington, Oregon was known to be a locomotive town in the 1800s.
- South Wasco County Redsides: A nod to the Redside rainbow trout that can be found in nearby rivers.
- Lakeview Honkers: A fun name referring to geese, which are connected with the town's agricultural and surrounding wildlife.
- Pleasant Hill Billies: Originally known as the "Hillbillies," they adopted a more neutral name "Billy Goats" to keep some humor and rustic appeal.
- St. Mary's Blues: A creative mascot and unique due to its reference to a musical genre rather than an animal or warrior.
- Roosevelt Roughriders: Are a historically significant and patriotic mascot associated with President Theodore Roosevelt's cavalry corps.
- Crater Comets: Given the volcanic terrain of southern Oregon, this mascot is a creative and geographically relevant mascot with an astrological theme.
- Oakland Oakers: The "Oakers" mascot pays homage to the region's overabundance of oak trees. This is likely a tribute to the historical significance of Oakland, Oregon, and its stunning natural surroundings—especially the oak savannas.
- Toledo Boomers: This mascot honors the dedication and tenacity of loggers who helped to develop Toledo, which has strong ties to Oregon's timber industry.
- Enterprise Outlaws: This mascot is a nod to Eastern Oregon's Wild West past, when pioneers came from far and wide to settle on the frontier.
- Weston-McEwen TigerScots: When the schools in Weston and Athena combined, they created the unusual "TigerScots" by combining both mascots.