High School Mascots

The Role of the Mascot

The mascot, as a symbol, is an integral part of school decorations and spirit wear. It may appear on school signs, official district communications, and the gymnasium floor. Students will wear logos incorporating the mascot on t-shirts, varsity jackets, and temporary tattoos. When students think of themselves as a member of the school community, they don't often say, "I'm a Brown City High School student." Instead they proclaim, "I'm a Brown City Bear!"

At sporting events, a costumed school mascot may appear on the sidelines to fire up the students, parents and community members in attendance. The mascot may coordinate his or her antics with the cheerleading squad. Some perform acrobatic stunts and dances while others are more comical in nature. In any case, they are sure to delight and entertain fans of all ages.

Common School Mascots

Looking for mascot ideas? The following are a few of the common mascots used by high schools.

Birds

• Eagles
• Hawks
• Cardinals
• Falcons

Cats

• Tigers
• Lions
• Panthers
• Cougars
• Wildcats
• Jaguars

Human Figures

• Patriots
• Vikings
• Pirates
• Knights

Insects

• Hornets
• Bees
• Yellowjackets

Other

• Gators
• Rams
• Mustangs
• Dragons
• Broncos
• Bears

Finding Mascot Costumes

Online Costume Stores

Online costume stores such as HalloweenStreet.com, Annie's Costumes, and Buy Costumes sell a similar selection of dozens of mascot designs in a wide variety of styles. For ferocious cats, you can find panthers, tigers, lions, and wildcats. Human characters include Vikings, patriots, and Trojans. If you're looking for something a little more unusual, try a platypus, swan, or penguin.

Facemakers Incorporated offers a chance to enjoy a more personalized product, designed with the exact look of your school mascot in mind. A costume can be designed entirely to specification, with custom face molds and body designs, or schools can select a pre-made costume and change some elements, such as the color of the fur.

Purchasing Tips

These costumes are often special-order products. This means that it may take additional time for your purchase to be shipped to you. Plan ahead so you don't come up short for the season-opening game or Homecoming parade. In addition, a site's typical return policies may not apply with special purchases. Choose your costume carefully if all sales are final.

Full body costumes typically cost several hundred dollars. If your budget doesn't allow for such a large expenditure, check for discontinued costumes and economy lines. However, a high-quality costume can be an investment. It may be worth spending extra money to purchase a mascot that will last for years.

Talk to other schools in your area to find out their preferred source for mascot costumes. You may find out about a local seller or get tips on the online merchants to avoid.

Schools should also consider purchasing available costuming accessories. Cooling vests, helmets and collars keep the students behind the mascots from becoming overheated. Fans are another popular cooling option. Special suits worn under the costumes can add padding or muscles for a more realistic look. A carrying case or bag will keep the costume in great condition between games.

Controversial High School Mascots

In recent years, high school mascots have made the news as communities strive for greater cultural sensitivity. It was once common for schools to create mascots from stereotypical images of Native Americans. Many school boards have voted to change potentially offensive mascots such as "Warriors", "Redskins" and "Chiefs." Some protest the loss of decades of school history, but with so many other options available, the trend is definitely toward changing to non-controversial mascots.

Whether you're the body behind the suit or a fan in the stands, high school mascots are an essential part of the student experience. The next time you see this symbol of your school, take a moment to appreciate all it represents.