Fear not, we’ve found the area’s coolest high school nicknames

Our hard-hitting look at area high school nicknames marches on.

Well … not exactly hard hitting. We’re just trying to have a little fun.

Last week we talked about how most of the mascots around here aren’t very interesting. You know, too many Warriors, Mustangs, Wildcats, etc.

We looked at some of the better nicknames spread throughout the Illinois High School Association, like the Freeport Pretzels and the Teutopolis Wooden Shoes. I was also reminded of the Lake Forest Academy Caxys, complete with a green frog as a mascot.

As luck would have it, we actually do have a handful of pretty cool mascots in the area. And nicknames.

While the difference between nicknames and mascots may seem confusing, we’ll explain with our first example: the Elgin Maroons.

One of the state’s oldest high schools, Elgin has a long tradition of simply acknowledging the school colors — maroon and cream. The Maroons have been mascot-free almost exclusively since they started playing football in the 1890s.

More than 40 years ago, the school tried out a mascot based on Native American stereotypes but dropped it for obvious reasons.

Speaking of Native American nicknames, the Antioch Sequoits are an interesting case. There is no mascot representing a Sequoit, which refers to an Iroquois phrase roughly translated to pebbles in a stream.

Last year, however, Antioch officials unveiled a new mascot known as Cardinal Crazy. It looks pretty much like it sounds, so that’s a relief.

About 10 years ago the Sequoits participated in a mascot/nickname contest organized by the now-defunct CSN Chicago network. For several weeks, Antioch and 63 other IHSA schools battled through a bracket to become the champion.

The Elk Grove Grenadiers won the competition based on a vote by fans. The green-clad soldier is an imposing figure, but seems friendly enough. Just try to stay on his good side.

For those who don’t know, a grenadier is a style of soldier, established in the 1600s, who specializes in throwing hand grenades in battle. But for Elk Grove purposes, the Grenadiers simply rolls off the tongue nicely.

Congrats to the Grenadiers on that honor but — with all due respect to my green mustachioed friend — my vote for top mascot would’ve gone elsewhere. It’s still in the area, but a little farther northwest.

How can you not love the Hampshire Whip-Purs?

According to an article on IHSA.org, published during the CSN Chicago contest, the nickname was created by students in the 1940s based on the school colors — Whi (white) and Pur (purple).

The two sounds merged into Whip-Purs, and at one time there was a mascot rendering of a purple cat holding a whip. I’m not sure what kind of cat it is (a panther or maybe a cougar?). Regardless, it looks pretty sharp.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. There’s nothing unique about a purple cat as a mascot.

Put a whip in its paws, though, and it’s a whole new ballgame.