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Odessa Orange? Concord Grapes? Let's give Delaware high schools some new nicknames

brad myers, delaware news journal
·5 min read

In our never-ending quest to rank every possible facet of Delaware sports, Kevin Tresolini recently put in the time, did the research and tapped his decadeslong experience of covering First State high schools to rank all of the school’s nicknames.

He even unearthed the nicknames of schools that had closed long ago.

So it’s time for me to follow up with little to no research and come up with a bunch of new nicknames, just off the top of my head.

Syracuse's Otto the Orange is among the most recognizable mascots in college sports. Could we produce a high school replica at Odessa?
Syracuse's Otto the Orange is among the most recognizable mascots in college sports. Could we produce a high school replica at Odessa?

Before we get started, this is just for fun. These names are not serious proposals. Now that Conrad has moved on from a name that ended in skin, I don’t have a problem with any Delaware high school nickname.

But that doesn’t mean we can’t come up with something better — or probably worse. Let’s play around with the schools’ names, locations, specialties and histories and see what comes to mind.

While I don’t expect any of these “alternate” nicknames to be adopted, I would certainly take credit if one of them did somehow find its way onto a helmet or jersey.

Here we go, in no particular order:

Dickinson Statesmen

While John Dickinson never made it to President of the United States, he was President of Pennsylvania and President of Delaware. At the same time!

William Penn Bills

The name of the founder of the Province of Pennsylvania is often shortened to Billy by some.

Don't call William Penn's mascot Bill. He gets angry.
Don't call William Penn's mascot Bill. He gets angry.

Delcastle Chefs

Culinary Arts is among the many career programs offered at this vo-tech school. I once interviewed a Delcastle track and field standout whose goal was to open a cupcake shop.

Hodgson Blueprints

Technical Drafting and Design is one of the career programs offered by this vo-tech school. And blueprints would look cool on a football helmet.

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Howard Millionaires

This vo-tech school has an Academy of Finance and Business, which sounds like it could pay off in the long run.

St. Georges Medics

You can study Emergency Medical Services and Athletic Healthcare Services at this vo-tech school.

Concord Grapes

Can be used as table grapes, wine grapes, juice grapes, grape jelly, grape pies, grape soft drinks, grape candy. I’m starting to sound like Bubba from Forrest Gump.

Imagine a bunch of Concord grapes on a football helmet.
Imagine a bunch of Concord grapes on a football helmet.

Middletown Silver Lakers

The school’s address is 120 Silver Lake Road.

Appoquinimink Apps

Yeah, we’re starting to reach here. Would Minks be better?

Odessa Orange

Nothing wrong with Ducks, and green and gold is a great color scheme. But who couldn’t get behind a high school version of Otto the Orange, Syracuse’s lovable mascot?

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Glasgow Scots

Don’t worry, the basketball teams wouldn’t have to wear kilts.

Archmere Archers

An obvious play off of the school’s name. But Meerkats may be even better.

Padua Penguins

This Wilmington school already competes under an adorable name, the Pandas. But Penguins thrive in frigid environments, so they would be much cooler.

Salesianum Gentlemen

Seems like a natural fit for the school that produces Salesian gentlemen.

Ursuline Delle Donnes

You may have heard of Elena Delle Donne, and may remember she played at Ursuline.

St. Andrew’s Poets

Much of the 1989 movie “Dead Poets Society,” starring Robin Williams, was filmed on the St. Andrew’s campus.

Founders Hall at St. Andrew’s was used as the main set for "Dead Poets Society."
Founders Hall at St. Andrew’s was used as the main set for "Dead Poets Society."

Tatnall Presidents

The current President of the United States frequently visits his home about a half-mile from the Tatnall campus.

Charter of Wilmington Force Multipliers

Force Multipliers have been proven to be multiple times more effective than a singular Force.

Charter of Wilmington's calculator mascot really doesn't have anything to do with Force, but it is cool.
Charter of Wilmington's calculator mascot really doesn't have anything to do with Force, but it is cool.

Conrad Crimson

Gotta keep it red.

Delaware Military Academy Aviators

DMA’s website says it is “the only public charter high school in the United States based on the traditions, values and ideals of the U.S. Navy.” And a jet could take off from Wilmington Airport and buzz Fusco Memorial Field in about 30 seconds.

MOT Charter Crue

Could become the first Delaware high school named after a heavy-metal band.

Newark Charter Stateliners

It’s not in Maryland, but you can see it from there.

Could also apply to Delmar.

St. Elizabeth Hilltoppers

From any direction, it’s an uphill climb to this Wilmington school.

The mascot of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers is a furry creature called Big Red, which seems to have nothing to do with being a Hilltopper.
The mascot of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers is a furry creature called Big Red, which seems to have nothing to do with being a Hilltopper.

Caravel Caramels

Could lead to some sticky situations.

Cape Henlopen Seagulls

Lot of choices when your school is located about a mile from the Atlantic Ocean. Pirates, Crabs, Sand Sharks, maybe even Vikings.

Smyrna Knights

Would pay tribute to Will, Wayne and Yamir Knight, who combined to score 227 touchdowns and 211 two-point conversions for Smyrna from 2014-22.

Smyrna's Yamir Knight enjoys a second-quarter score in the DIAA Class 3A championship game on Dec. 10, 2022, at Delaware Stadium.
Smyrna's Yamir Knight enjoys a second-quarter score in the DIAA Class 3A championship game on Dec. 10, 2022, at Delaware Stadium.

That’s the first time I’ve added that up, and it is absolutely amazing.

Caesar Rodney Dangerfields

Maybe using a comedian for a school’s nickname wouldn’t be a good idea. It wouldn’t be the first time he got no respect.

Sussex Central Scions

It starts with “sc,” and it maybe makes a little bit of sense.

Sussex Tech Engineers

Lot of career pathways offered by this Sussex County vo-tech school.

Milford Maulers

Nobody would want to step into the ring with these guys. Or girls.

Woodbridge Scrapple

Bridgeville is home to the Apple Scrapple Festival, which pays tribute to the Delaware delicacy you either love or avoid at all cost.

Indian River Revolutionaries

We’re definitely reaching here. But Dagsboro was named for John Dagworthy, a brigadier general of the Sussex County Militia during the American Revolutionary War.

Lake Forest Lumberjacks

What would a forest be without lumberjacks?

Obivously, it would remain a forest.

Laurel Swamp Monsters

Who knows what may be lurking in the cypress swamp of nearby Trap Pond State Park?

Sussex Academy Swashbucklers

Not any better than the current Seahawks. But if you get a chance to use Swashbucklers in a story about mascots, you use Swashbucklers.

I'll wrap it up with this joke, in tribute to the greatest Delaware high school nickname of all time.

What do you call a P.S. du Pont Dynamiter?

A blast from the past.

Contact Brad Myers at bmyers@delawareonline.com. Follow on X (Twitter): @BradMyersTNJ

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Putting a new twist on nicknames for Delaware high schools