THE FALCONS!

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:30 pm

Many of us know the story behind our nickname, but the original piece is just an awesome read. I found it while I was home a few weeks ago and transcribed it. I've read it too many times to count already.

http://bgsusports.com/FALCONS.pdf

Bleeding Orange · Post by **Bleeding Orange** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 6:10 pm

That was pretty sweet! Thanks TG.

Falcon Fanatic · Post by **Falcon Fanatic** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 7:26 pm

That was FREAKIN' awesome!!! Thanks for posting it!!

Post by **ZiggyZoomba** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 8:07 pm

Nice.... wonder if any Falcon athletes heard that story at practice this week... Hmmmm...

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 8:13 pm

ZiggyZoomba wrote:Nice.... wonder if any Falcon athletes heard that story at practice this week... Hmmmm...

I'd like to think so.

Here's an idea... I think that should be posted somewhere on campus.

Post by **ZiggyZoomba** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 8:16 pm

TG1996 wrote:
ZiggyZoomba wrote:Nice.... wonder if any Falcon athletes heard that story at practice this week... Hmmmm...
I'd like to think so.

Here's an idea... I think that should be posted somewhere on campus.

Based on the conversation I had today... I could seriously see that somewhere prominent at DLP Stadium next season. Hmmmm....

Falcon Fanatic · Post by **Falcon Fanatic** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 8:17 pm

OK, you two.....what's up??? You're plotting something!!!!

Post by **ZiggyZoomba** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 8:20 pm

Falcon Fanatic wrote:OK, you two.....what's up??? You're plotting something!!!!

Always.... always.

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 8:43 pm

ZiggyZoomba wrote:
Falcon Fanatic wrote:OK, you two.....what's up??? You're plotting something!!!!
Always.... always.

No plotting, just brainstorming... so far.

rollalongFF0304 · Post by **rollalongFF0304** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 9:06 pm

Thanks for putting that up, TG. I found this somewhere (maybe the archives?) and always like it:

By Doc Lake

Thirty years ago, Oct. 28, 1927, the nickname “Falcons” was originated for teams representing Bowling Green State University. I have often been asked how I decided on this name and other details so it might be well to review it for the record.

This institution was then a struggling State Normal College, but it already was trying to shake the “normal” part of the title to carry the idea that it was then a degree-granting institution.

Common nicknames, used by sports writers throughout the state, were “B.G. Normals,” “Teachers,” and “B.G. Pedagogues.” None of these were of our school’s choosing and frequently I was asked by Dr. Williams, then president, and members of the faculty why some nickname could not be found that would be more acceptable.

For a number of years, I had consulted with historians of the area and others, hoping to find a clew to a good title that might be appropriate, but without success.

Then one day I happened to pick up a story about falconry. Here was a name, I thought, that might be our objective. I studied further and was convinced.
At that time there was no student government so there was no one to consult along with that line. There was no one to consult, actually, except Pres. H. B. Williams and I did not want to go to him for fear that he might kill it.

So I took a complete flier and assumed full responsibility.

On Oct. 28, 1927, as sports editor of the Daily Sentinel-Tribune, I wrote my story under the headline, “WHY WE CHRISTEN B.G. TEAMS “FALCONS.” I was amazed at its complete and unquestioned acceptance.

Why did I propose the name?

First a good nickname is short so that it can be used by sports headline writers. Falcons (7 letters) is perfect. It should be different so that it immediately identifies the school. It was perfect then and is still so, even though the Air Force Academy recently adopted the nickname. Next, it has been identified with sports as far back as 2000 B.C. Falconry still exists in the world.

Further, a falcon is the most powerful bird for its size in the world. Its courage is not less than its power. It is swift and deadly in flight and will attack foe twice or three times its size.

In color, the Falcon is dark brown, one of B.G.S.U’s colors.

It will not give up in a fight, even unto its death. A born fighter, the bird will die in the battle before admitting defeat through flight.

The Falcon is a bird that goes through a long period of training just as sports teams for BG go through long periods of rigorous drill.

The ready acceptance of the name and the traditional use of the symbol in university affairs since then have been a source of great pride and joy to me through all the years and I repeat now, what I asked in that 1927 article, “Is there any name more fitting?”

[/quote]

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 9:13 pm

Cool! Thanks for adding that!

Ivan "Doc" Lake is one of a handful of people that I would classify as "true Falcons". He played on the first football team in 1919, pushed the idea of Homecoming in the 1920's, was a member of an endless number of organizations (I believe even being an Alumni Editor of the BG News after he graduated), and then wrote for the Sentinel, pushing the cause of Bowling Green and its athletics. In fact, alongside Doyt Perry, he may be the finest Falcon the University has ever seen.

Another fact I learned a couple weeks ago... Mickey Cochrane and his wife life in Ivan Lake's old house.

The Niz · Post by **The Niz** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:17 pm

Consider it posted to my door! That is an amazing find.

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 12:19 pm

The Niz wrote:Consider it posted to my door! That is an amazing find.

It's a start!

Let us know if you get any comments on it.

The Niz · Post by **The Niz** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:04 pm

Its only been a couple of hours an dpeople have already been leaving notes on my message board.

TG1996 · Post by **TG1996** » Fri Sep 22, 2006 3:30 pm

The Niz wrote:Its only been a couple of hours an dpeople have already been leaving notes on my message board.

Cool! What kind of notes?

(The ridiculously curious side of me wonders what today's students care about the past!

)