Freddie and Frieda Falcon
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.
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.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 1974 Freddie took Frieda to the Homecoming Game. Frieda's costume was borrowed from a woman in town who had worn it to a Halloween party. The costume was worn by a member of the Spirit and Traditions board. In 1980, Frieda was re-introduced as Freddie's little sister. The first full-time female Frieda was Sue Sheard.
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 or hockey game.Other traditions have included 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.
Former Freddies and Friedas
Year | Freddies | Friedas |
1950 | Bob Taylor | N/A |
1950-51 | Norbert Billig | N/A |
1951-52 | Hugh Simmonds | N/A |
1952-53 | Fred Frisbie | N/A |
1953 | Raymond Bertelsen | N/A |
1956-57 | Donald Traxler | N/A |
1958 | Dr. Gary Bloomfield | N/A |
1962-63 | Dr. Charles Schultz | N/A |
1963-64 | Dr. Jack Wilson | N/A |
1964-65 | Doug Lobser | N/A |
1965-66 | Everett Devaul | N/A |
1966-67 | Ron Zweirlein, Ph. D. | N/A |
1967-68 | Mike Bryan | N/A |
1968-69 | Stan Maleski | N/A |
1969-70 | Rick Harris | N/A |
1970-71 | Dr. Robert Parr | N/A |
1971-72 | Kevin Smith | N/A |
1972-73 | Lt. Col. William E. "Dewey" Potts | N/A |
1973-74 | Rick Wallace | N/A |
1974-75 | Jeff Weber, Garry Michaelis | N/A |
1975–1976 | Mark Suffron | N/A |
1976-77 | Dwight A. Bachman | N/A |
1977-78 | Mark Zimmerman | N/A |
1978-79 | Bill Kohagen, Keith Beebe | N/A |
1979-80 | John Zauner, Scott Thoma | Sue Cannella, Kathy Smith |
1980-81 | Rob Walker Jr., Doug Mould | Mary Peterson, Janice Suter |
1981-82 | Dave Martz, Mark Sirower | Jan Gase, Stephanie Barton |
1982-83 | Steve Elchert, Jeff McGaffick | Becky Taylor, Cindy Graham |
1983-84 | Eric Albers, Brett Swihart | Holly Lemar, Karen Clements |
1984-85 | Jim Seeger, Rick Goeke | Michelle Cwiklinski, Wendy Gajarsky |
1985-86 | Ted Schultz, Dave Runta | Sharon Dubler, Kris Myers |
1986-87 | Dr. Dave Shilling, OD, Dave Kuhar, esq. | Rhonda Albers, Janice Lutz |
1987-88 | Scott Brown, Matt "Goose" Telfer | Karleen Materne, Gina Parsonis |
1988-89 | Bob Bellamy, W. Patrick Smith | Jennifer Obloza, Karen Daugherty |
1989-90 | Dan Skrovan, Mike McGee | Julie Zimmerman, Shelly Miller |
1990-91 | Jeff Merrill, Brian Pcionek | Jen Barrett, Rungsinee Phoudad |
1991-92 | Mike Power, Roger McCarthy | Terry DiSciscio, Denise Chrien |
1992-93 | Adam Dill, Scott Jacobs | Terri Gladwish, Allison Woolley |
1993-94 | Dave Dobson, Jim Ruhlen | Lisa Geggie, Heather Zenman |
1994-95 | Brody McDonald, Ron Klinger | Candy Bonnett, Stacy Butcher |
1995-96 | Kurt Gehring, John Strmac | Becky Fairman, Raina Gilmore |
1996-97 | Kevin DeMain, Blair Miller | Wendy Braatz, Kelly Benedetti |
1997-98 | Joe Victor, Jesse Kreinbrink | Lisa Maselli, Emily Roach |
1998-99 | Shawn Grime, Chad Hibbs | Rhonda Winings, Cutia Blunt |
1999–2000 | Michael Perlatti, John Labbe | Beth Borkosky, Sara Brewer |
2000–2001 | David Humphrey, Ben Kohlhorst | Meredith Piersol, Nici Martin |
2001–2002 | Justin Petitt, David Decker | Alicia Poluga, Janay Joyce |
2002–2003 | Dan Kozlowski, Mike Orlando | Sherry Johnson, Megan Manley |
2003–2004 | Dan Stanowick, Hakim Oliver | Rachel Tuttle, Melissa Rossin |
2004–2005 | Jimmy Myers, Eric Wagner | Kristen Hertzer, Allison Coffman |
2005–2006 | Alex Wright, Tommy Balicky | Sara Moore, Sara Omlor |
2006–2007 | Gino Georgetti, Eric Heilmeier | Kristen Wright, Niki Messmore |
2007–2008 | Shane Lewis, Terry Streetman | Michelle Doyle, Tara McGinnis |
2008–2009 | Chris Schiazza, Brendan Carroll | Lizzie Friedman, Courtney Hollister |
2009–2010 | Andrew Gibson, Adam Kowalski | Cristina Wayton, Caitlin Borges |
2010–2011 | Jared Miller, Doug Krysiak | Molly Eaton, Nicole Ellwood |
2011–2012 | Shawn Gilbert, Jonathan Zachrich | Maddy Brown, Kate Finlayson |
2012–2013 | Michael Majoros, Ryan Evarts | Kelsey Morgan, April McCoy |
2013–2014 | Daniel Short, Sean Kennedy | Jennifer Gonzales, Lauren Phillips |
2014-2015 | Alex Koons, Landon Watts | Maren Legg, Katie Magnacca |
2015-2016 | Junior Mansaray, Will Casper | Lexi Adams, Jessi Furnas |
2016-2017 | Drew Ashby-King, Zach Jung | Katie Wallroff, Katie Webb |
2017-2018 | Brian Chaney, Spencer Lockwood | Christine Nelson, Bailee Jesse |
2018-2019 | Ethan Beegle, Isaiah Smith | Laura Hohman, Abbey Warschauer |
2019-2020 | Jake Elston, Hunter Hovest | Libby Zamiska, Mo Orr |