1931 School History
Russell School Timeline
1958 Reorganization
1963 School Fire
Fight Song Lyrics
1967 Fight Song Lyrics
Fight Song
Are you a Russell Bluebird or a Russell Trojan?
According to Bob Parker (1934), a contest was held to choose a school mascot during the 1930/31 school year. He and Neal Pierce (1932) came up with the name of, "Bluebirds." For their efforts, they were awarded the grand prize of $1.00! The prize was divided between them. The Russell Bluebirds changed to the Russell Trojans during the 1965/66 school year.
We have found no written explanation as to why the mascot was changed. However, several people recall that it was done to protect our school pride. Other teams would say "tweet, tweet," "tweet, tweet."
You can imagine how embarassing this would have sounded in the school gym while playing basketball. Evidently, the football team also didn't think it was a very fitting name for a rough and tumble sport. At a 1965 student council meeting, the suggestion was made to change the school mascot. E. Claire Henderson was Superintendent at the time. Once a decision was reached by the student council, it was brought before the high school and junior high for a vote in the school gym. There were three names from which to choose - the Trojans, Mustangs and Warriors. That's how the name Trojans was chosen. So from the 1966 annual to the present, we have been known as the Russell Trojans.
