Contact: Michael Wajerski, Sports Information Director - Lake Forest College, wajerski@lakeforest.edu

LAKE FOREST, Illinois — The history of Lake Forest College’s athletic nickname and mascot dates all the way back to the late 1800s, when varsity lettermen were simply referred to as “wearers of the LF.” In 1891, 31 students at the College voted for “ruby-red” and black to replace pink and blue as the new school colors. One of the school’s earliest varsity mascots was a tongue-wagging bulldog named Sir Bartemus, Bart, F.R.S. The curious canine sported a bowler and cape, and made appearances at varsity football contests as far back as 1894.
 

In the early 1900s yearbooks indicated a variety of team nicknames. Prior to World War I, teams took the name “Gold Coasters,” suggesting the north shore area where the college is located. References to the Red Devils are found in 1920s yearbooks and the school newspaper, The Stentor. The name “Jaybirds” surfaced in the 1930s, but its origin is unclear. One explanation is that Jaybirds was the nickname of the 1930s football coach, Ralph Jones, for his team. It then grew into more general use.

Wide dissatisfaction with the nickname “Jaybirds” eventually motivated the College to create a new team name with a “fighting quality.” The Stentor organized a committee that narrowed down the choices and on April 23, 1948, students cast their votes from a field of five: Bobcats, Foresters, Rangers, Red Raiders, and Redskins. The winner of the contest was the “Forester,” which was represented by a lumberjack with an axe in hand.

The lumberjack concept quickly became popular, prompting the creation of the mythical character, Jim Forester, who represented the spirit and aspiration of the student body. Jim Forester Day, first held on May 17, 1950, culminated an exciting week of activities including a carnival, beauty contest, sack race, and rail splitting and greased pig contests. The activities helped to raise funds for the student union and other community causes.

Jim Forester contests ended with the rise of social activism. School spirit diminished as students responded to external events, such as the Vietnam War. In the early 1980s the use of the lumberjack as a college mascot was curtailed when students and staff complained about its potential sexist and anti-environmental messages.

Students, faculty and staff began calling for the design of a new mascot and, in March of 1995, students went to the polls to cast their votes. The choices selected from faculty, student, and alumni suggestions included a bear, an owl and a deer. Over 53 percent of the students made their opinions known and on April 28, the College ended the search for a new Forester symbol by choosing a bear. The school maintained the nickname “Forester,” but selected the bear, a forest-dwelling animal, to represent athletic teams. A symbol of fortitude and patience, the bear is a worthy opponent and a strong image.

After 10 years as the Foresters’ mascot, the bear was finally given a name in the spring of 2005. After considering numerous suggestions, the Athletic Department staff and Athletic Council selected the name “Boomer.”