Some Roosevelt students, staff think Bishop Blanchet’s mascot sounds a bit familiar.
A new rivalry has developed between Roosevelt High School and Bishop Blanchet High School. While the premise of this rivalry started last year, it has taken off this school year. Eager to defeat Blanchet, Roosevelt had a huge turnout at the Roosevelt vs. Blanchet football game. While the student section does come out to support the team regularly, it was especially packed for this game.
Last year, Blanchet, a private Catholic school, had to abruptly change their mascot 68 years after the establishment of the school. Their previous mascot, the Braves, had harmful connotations towards Native Americans, and therefore they were in search of a new mascot.
Despite all the options out there such as the Blanchet Barnacles, Baboons, or even the Bald Eagles, those in charge chose a bear. To people at Roosevelt, this seems a little too similar to our mascot.
Although Roosevelt’s official mascot is the Rough Rider, the school is often associated with teddy bears due to the fact that Roosevelt is named after former United States President, Theodore Roosevelt, or “Teddy” for short.
Roosevelt even has a bear mascot at assemblies and many sporting events. Teddy shows up and shows out, in full costume from head to toe, filled with Rider spirit and excitement.
Ryan Sherlock, Roosevelt athletic director, claims he encouraged Blanchet to shy away from a bear as a mascot. However, the school decided to turn a blind eye to this request.
About a week before the announcement, Blanchet’s athletic director called Sherlock to discuss plans for its new mascot. When asked whether Roosevelt is associated with bears, Sherlock responded by telling them: “Yes, all the time. We are associated with bears and Rough Riders. The mascot that comes to all our games is Teddy.”
Sherlock wasn’t too happy with Blachet’s decision. “[They] could have picked anything, and [they] chose a bear. Why would [they] do that? I’m just dumbfounded by the whole thing.” Sherlock continued, “They have school envy and wanna be just like us.”
Upon further research, it seems that Blanchet really just can’t make up their mind. Since its establishment, they have changed their mascot many times. Blanchet has flipped between the Braves, Bears, Brave Bears, and back to Braves again. Will their newest change to the Bears stick? Roosevelt sure doesn’t hope so.
Maybe Roosevelt didn’t beat Blanchet in football, but the Riders did beat them overall for the fall 2022 sports season. Roosevelt’s girls varsity soccer, golf, and swim beat Blanchet in the official standings.
Blanchet can take our colors and take our mascot, but they sure can’t take our pride or talent.
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