|
Powercat Quick
9/19/2006
The Novi Wildcat Powercat logo is one of the most
recognizable logos in all of high school football. It is
distinctive, it is eye-catching, and it symbolizes the
cat-quick nature of Novi High School Football and the
school tradition that has been nurtured over the last
four decades.
There is an interesting history behind the Powercat
logo. There is only one NCAA Division I member that also
features the Powercat as the proud face of their
football team, and that is Kansas State University.
Interestingly enough, the Kansas State Wildcats had
tried several other nicknames and mascots in their
history, but only the Wildcat/Powercat logo was truly
embraced.
Back around the turn of the century K-State’s
nickname was the ‘Wildcats,’ but then for 15 years the
school had used ‘Aggies’ as it’s nickname.
In 1915, Coach Chief Bender changed the name back to
“Wildcats’ but it only lasted one year, because new
Coach Z.G. Clevenger wanted his team to be known as the
‘Farmers’ starting in 1917.
But three years later in 1920, a progressive Coach
named Charles Bachman took over the program, and renamed
the team the ‘Wildcats’ and this time it stuck.
46 years later, Novi High School began playing
football, and they adopted the proud Wildcat moniker
right out of the gate.
The man credited with the design of the current
Powercat logo is local Kansas native Tom Bookwalter, and
he did so in conjunction with Kansas State football
Coach Bruce Snyder.
In Manhattan, Kansas, they are so proud of the logo,
that it is prominently displayed on the helmets, at the
stadium, on the back of the press box, and it is
commonly found on clothing, flags, bottled water, vanity
plates for cars, and just about anywhere!
Like K-State, the Novi Green and White Powercat is
also a thing to behold, and is a great representative of
the rich tradition of Novi High School football. It
looks quick just sitting there.
The Powercat Logo… Only in Wildcat Country.
(C) 2006 Novi Information
Network
All rights reserved.
Bernie
Fratto's
column appears right here each
week during the football season.
Bernie is a member of the Minor League Baseball Alumni Association
and in his former life, he spent time in the Cincinnati Reds Farm
System. He is an accomplished Freelance writer, and sought after keynote
speaker, appearing often at Award Ceremonies, Athletic Banquets, and
Company functions.
He is passionate about sports and the life-lessons
they teach. "Behind every sports story lies the hearts and minds of real
human beings," Fratto said..."And these athletic endeavors often serve
as a metaphor for the game we call life."
Bernie is also on the broadcast team at Live 97.1FM talk-radio, and is a
frequent
co-host on the popular "Parker &
The Man Show," a nightly sportstalk show which airs Monday-Friday from
7-11pm.
|
