History of NGU Mascot
The Moonshiners
North Greenville has been represented by five distinct mascots in its history. The earliest recorded mascot was the “Moonshiners,” which was first used in 1924, a light-hearted, loose reference to the illicit economic activity of the region at that time. “The Moonshiner” remained the name of the yearbook until 1938.
The Black Widows
In 1950, the students at North Greenville Junior College and Baptist Academy voted to become “The Black Widow Spiders,” which was often shortened to “The Black Widows” or even “The Widows.” The spider, which is native to the region, is known for its distinctive black and red color, and it was during this time that these colors were selected to represent school athletics (and still do today).
The Mountaineers
During the 1954-1955 school year, North Greenville sports teams transitioned to a new mascot, “The Mountaineers,” or “The Mounties” for short, a nod to the geographic location of the school at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. The Mountaineer mascot remained the same until 2001, with one exception in women’s sports as noted below.
The Lassies
The women’s basketball team from 1958-1969 called themselves “The Lassies,” until they were dropped from the schedule for a brief period between 1969 and 1973. When women’s basketball returned, they took on the name, “The Mountainettes,” later becoming “The Lady Mounties” or simply, “The Mounties.”
The Crusaders
For years, some felt that “The Mounties” was not a good mascot choice for the school because of the negative stigma surrounding hillbillies and moonshining. Others disagreed with this view and felt that “The Mounties” was a great tribute to the mountain people who founded North Greenville. In the end, the mascot changed to “The Crusaders” in 2001.
The Trailblazers
In the early 2020’s, a committee was formed to consider the idea of changing the mascot from the historical Crusader, to one that was more future-focused. The new mascot would hint at the past but would embrace the fullness of what lies ahead. After many months, much deliberation, and a number of iterations, it was determined that the new mascot would be The North Greenville University Trailblazers.
NGU Trailblazers
The word “pioneer” is translated from the Greek archegos, and in this context, indicates someone who starts or begins something, one who leads the way so that others may follow, one who initiates and guides, leads into battle, blazes a trail. Inspired by the pioneer and perfector of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), the North Greenville University mascot is the Trailblazer, a term that describes our students, athletes, faculty, staff, and the broader Tigerville community.
Historically, residents of this region known as the Dark Corner were considered renegades. It was a haven for deserters, draft dodgers and fugitives, and a breeding ground for long-standing feuds. During the Reconstruction, mountaineer farmers-turned-moonshiners used their yield of corn to make whiskey, a gallon of which could be sold for twice the price of a bushel of corn. Though often lawless and illicit, residents of the Dark Corner found a way to survive, and even thrive, in the face of adversity, blazing a trail through often difficult and challenging terrain.
In the early 1900’s and into the Great Depression, the region experienced an exodus of residents in favor of economic stability provided by the cotton mills of the piedmont. Years later, logging companies entered the area, stripping the land of trees. These were followed by land developers, building golf resorts, posh subdivisions, and summer homes. “What began as an elusive place became an exclusive place,” (Dean Campbell) and the people who settled here were fortunate to have found it. Similarly, those who have happened upon this “Light on a Hill” that is North Greenville University are ones who are forging their own paths, blazing their own trails, searching beyond secular academia to a place rich with history and heritage, purpose, and conviction.
The geography, history, tenacity, and ingenuity of the people of this place, with a dark history and a bright future, are represented by our mascot, the North Greenville University Trailblazers. A Trailblazer is the first to do something, whether marking a new path through the woods, or making a new discovery. Trailblazers are innovators, leaders, pioneers, and adventurers. They are not defined by public or popular opinion or culture. They negotiate a path forward through the unknown and establish a trail for others to follow. Our NGU students are everyday trailblazers, and their paths are continually setting new heights in personal and spiritual growth and human achievement.
Blazer, the NGU mascot, is represented by the Red Fox. Native to this region, the Red Fox is cunning and clever, resourceful and wise, tenacious and brave. It is adaptive to its ever-changing environment and is continually exploring its expansive territory. Together, these represent the place where we are, the history from which we have come, and the future to which we aspire.
The NGU shield is also rich with symbolism, representing strength and unity on campus. The top crest of the shield is a nod to the local geography of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The red fox is focused on the North Star which has long been a guiding light for explorers and a symbol of purpose and direction. This light symbolizes both ‘reaching for the stars’ and ‘setting one’s sights high,’ and of course underscores the fact that NGU has long been referred to as ‘a light on the hill,’ illuminating the Dark Corner and a dark world. In addition, the typography leans to the right, representing forward motion, blazing a trail toward a bright future.
Bibliography
Beasley, Joanna. “From Moonshiners to Crusaders: A History of North Greenville Mascots.”
Howard, Henry Jacob. From These Roots: The Story of North Greenville Junior College, 1892-1967.
O’Gwynn, Marty. “North Greenville Seeks to Honor History, Blaze Trail with New Mascot.”