Freddie and Frieda Falcon

Infobox College Mascot
name = Freddie and Frieda Falcon


image_size = 200px
caption = Frieda Falcon
university = Bowling Green State University
conference = Mid-American Conference
conference_short = MAC
description = anthropomorphized Peregrine Falcons
name_origin =
first_seen = 1950
related_mascots =
official_website =
hall_of_fame =

Freddie and Frieda Falcon are the mascots of Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. The pair are anthropomorphized Peregrine Falcons. They are somewhat of a rarity among collegiate mascots, being one of the few male-female mascot pairs in existence. In 2006 they were both named “Best Collegiate Mascot” at the 2006 NCA Cheer Camp in Nashville, Tennessee at Vanderbilt University [cite web | url=http://www.bgfile.com/feature_short/campus/freddyandfrieda/print.html | title=Freddy and Frieda | publisher=BGFile.com | accessdate=2008-04-07] .

The Falcon

Bowling Green State University was originally known as Bowling Green Normal University, designated a normal school because its purpose was to train teachers. Because of this, their athletic teams were referred to by a variety of nicknames, such as the “B.G. Normals” and the “Teachers”. As the necessity of a mascot and nickname became more apparent over the years, Ivan “Doc” Lake, the sports editor of the local newspaper, decided to come up with a fitting name. In 1927, after reading about falconry, he decided on “Falcons” because the birds were powerful and highly trained, much like the University's athletes. [cite web | url=http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/life/traditions/page11696.html | title=BGSU Falcon | publisher=Bowling Green State University Office of Student Life | accessdate=2008-04-07] [cite web | url=http://bgsufalcons.cstv.com/trads/bgsu-falcons.html | title=Freddie & Frieda | publisher=Bowling Green State University Athletic Department | accessdate=2008-04-07]

History

A creation of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, Freddie Falcon made his first appearance at a BGSU men's basketball game on January 16, 1950 against the Bobcats of Ohio University. Under the mask at this first appearance was Bob Taylor. The costume was simple – a papier mache head, a cape and a brown sweatsuit – but the tradition had begun.

Frieda Falcon first appeared on February 25, 1966 as “Mrs. Freddie Falcon”. At this time, she was a male cheerleader in disguise. In 1980, Frieda was re-introduced as Freddie's little sister. The first full-time female Frieda was Sue Sheard. [cite web | url=http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/life/freddie_frieda/page10459.html | title=History | publisher=Bowling Green State University Office of Student Life | accessdate=2008-04-07]

Over the years the costume has changed and evolved, going from a papier mache head to a “rubber chicken”-like mask, to the current look, which is a more typical 'cartoon'-like appearance and a head made of fiberglass and synthetic material designed to replicate the appearance of feathers.

Traditions

The biggest tradition of the mascot position is that the identities of the students who play the roles of Freddie and Frieda are kept secret for the duration of their service. The identities are revealed every spring at a “beheading ceremony” during a basketball game and a hockey game.

Other traditions include the throwing of bubblegum and the wearing of orange Chuck Taylor shoes, which are now represented by large comical high-top shoes with the BGSU logo on them. [cite web | url=http://bgsufalcons.cstv.com/trads/bgsu-falcons.html | title=The Falcon | publisher=Bowling Green State University Athletic Department | accessdate=2008-04-07]

Former Freddies and Friedas

ee also

* SICSIC - BGSU's official "spirit crew"

References

External links

* [http://www.bgsu.edu/offices/sa/life/freddie_frieda/index.html Freddie and Frieda's Website at BGSU.edu]
* [http://bgsufalcons.cstv.com/trads/bgsu-falcons.html Freddie and Frieda at BGSUFalcons.com]