How did Highlands get the name "Bluebirds?"

 

This question comes up from time to time -- on here and elsewhere -- and I've never heard a really good answer to it. Well, I was doing some Googling tonight, and stumbled across a really nice article in Wikipedia about Fort Thomas. Whoever wrote this, did a great job, and it's extremely up-to-date. It even talks about Lorenzon being the Giants' backup QB.

 

The article included a brief discussion of the origin of the "Bluebird" mascot and name. Here is the story as told in the article:

 

According to local legend, in the early twentieth century the original mascot for the school was the Highlands Blue Devil; but a local clergyman objected to the association of the community to the devil.

 

At the time, the boys' track team had an exceptionally good year and it was remarked that they "flew like birds." This gave rise to the new and current mascot.

 

How about that?! We're a football school...and we're named after the track team!:walk:

Although, there are probably some out there that still associate us with the devil. :devil:

Hmm, very interesting.

 

Kind of along the same lines as Villa Madonna. Called the Vipers, but had to change, since the snake was supposed to be the sign of the devil.

How did Highlands get the name "Bluebirds?"

 

This question comes up from time to time -- on here and elsewhere -- and I've never heard a really good answer to it. Well, I was doing some Googling tonight, and stumbled across a really nice article in Wikipedia about Fort Thomas. Whoever wrote this, did a great job, and it's extremely up-to-date. It even talks about Lorenzon being the Giants' backup QB.

 

The article included a brief discussion of the origin of the "Bluebird" mascot and name. Here is the story as told in the article:

 

According to local legend, in the early twentieth century the original mascot for the school was the Highlands Blue Devil; but a local clergyman objected to the association of the community to the devil.

 

At the time, the boys' track team had an exceptionally good year and it was remarked that they "flew like birds." This gave rise to the new and current mascot.

 

How about that?! We're a football school...and we're named after the track team!:walk:

Although, there are probably some out there that still associate us with the devil. :devil:

 

This sounds pretty close to the stories I have heard. Did it say around what year this was?

Always interesting to see how teams got their names. I love the name of the Bluebirds...very different. I know Morgan Co (Blue and Gold ) used to be the Blue Devils, when they consolidated with Ezel ( Green and White, Rockets) in 1974 Morgan Co chose the colors...Blue and Gold and Ezel chose the name...Cougars.

This sounds pretty close to the stories I have heard. Did it say around what year this was?

 

Wasn't it LN's junior year? :fire: :fire:

This sounds pretty close to the stories I have heard. Did it say around what year this was?

I can't pinpoint it. The last mention of "Blue Devils" was in 1925. The first mention of "Bluebirds" was in 1927. Not sure what they were in 1926.

Now that we know how they became the Bluebirds, how did they become the "cake eaters.":p :sssh:

Now that we know how they became the Bluebirds, how did they become the "cake eaters.":p :sssh:

 

WOW!:scared:

Now that we know how they became the Bluebirds, how did they become the "cake eaters.":p :sssh:

 

The story I (cake eater class of 80) heard from my mother (cake eater class of 50):

 

Came from the depression era, it was thought that the people in Fort Thomas were rich enough to have cake. Along those same lines, the people in Campbell County were called plow pushers due to the area being farming at that time...

The story I (cake eater class of 80) heard from my mother (cake eater class of 50):

 

Came from the depression era, it was thought that the people in Fort Thomas were rich enough to have cake. Along those same lines, the people in Campbell County were called plow pushers due to the area being farming at that time...

Fits into what I was told behind calling HHS 'cake-eaters' in the 80's.

This is from the Wikipedia article:

 

Though positive in origin, the term is often used derogatorily by people outside of Ft. Thomas in the spirit of Marie Antoinette's legendary, "Let them eat cake!" quote - alluding to the slightly higher per capita incomes of Ft. Thomas residents over the surrounding areas.

 

The story I've heard goes back to the fifties. It had something to do with a large cake being sent to another team or something. And at the following game, I believe there was some cake throwing going on. I can get a clearer version of the story; but it will be a liitle later today.

This is from the Wikipedia article:

 

Though positive in origin, the term is often used derogatorily by people outside of Ft. Thomas in the spirit of Marie Antoinette's legendary, "Let them eat cake!" quote - alluding to the slightly higher per capita incomes of Ft. Thomas residents over the surrounding areas.

 

The story I've heard goes back to the fifties. It had something to do with a large cake being sent to another team or something. And at the following game, I believe there was some cake throwing going on. I can get a clearer version of the story; but it will be a liitle later today.

 

 

I've always heard fp30's version.

This is the story my father told me. He was in the NewCath class of ’54, which was the first year of the school on the hill. He told me that he and a few other students were helping a new teacher, who was a Brother, move into the new school. The teacher was asking a lot of questions about other schools in the area and Highlands became the topic. The students said that’s where the “rich” kids go and the Brother asked where Highlands was at. One of the students pointed in the direction of Ft. Thomas. The Brother then said to the students “They may be eating cake but we will be breaking bread together”. From that day forth Highlands became the “Cake Eaters”.

 

Now….Is this story true? WHO CARES, it’s a great story!!!

I've always heard fp30's version.

Like any legend, the origins are both murky, and numerous. Like I said, I'll have a better description of what I'm talking about in a bit.

Instead of bluebirds, they should be named state champions. Highlands State Champions.