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

YearFreddiesFriedas
1950Bob TaylorN/A
1950-51Norbert BilligN/A
1951-52Hugh SimmondsN/A
1952-53Fred FrisbieN/A
1953Raymond BertelsenN/A
1956-57Donald TraxlerN/A
1958Dr. Gary BloomfieldN/A
1962-63Dr. Charles SchultzN/A
1963-64Dr. Jack WilsonN/A
1964-65Doug LobserN/A
1965-66Everett DevaulN/A
1966-67Ron Zweirlein, Ph. D.N/A
1967-68Mike BryanN/A
1968-69Stan MaleskiN/A
1969-70Rick HarrisN/A
1970-71Dr. Robert ParrN/A
1971-72Kevin SmithN/A
1972-73Lt. Col. William E. "Dewey" PottsN/A
1973-74Rick WallaceN/A
1974-75Jeff Weber, Garry MichaelisN/A
1975–1976Mark SuffronN/A
1976-77Dwight A. BachmanN/A
1977-78Mark ZimmermanN/A
1978-79Bill Kohagen, Keith BeebeN/A
1979-80John Zauner, Scott ThomaSue Cannella, Kathy Smith
1980-81Rob Walker Jr., Doug MouldMary Peterson, Janice Suter
1981-82Dave Martz, Mark SirowerJan Gase, Stephanie Barton
1982-83Steve Elchert, Jeff McGaffickBecky Taylor, Cindy Graham
1983-84Eric Albers, Brett SwihartHolly Lemar, Karen Clements
1984-85Jim Seeger, Rick GoekeMichelle Cwiklinski, Wendy Gajarsky
1985-86Ted Schultz, Dave RuntaSharon Dubler, Kris Myers
1986-87Dr. Dave Shilling, OD, Dave Kuhar, esq.Rhonda Albers, Janice Lutz
1987-88Scott Brown, Matt "Goose" TelferKarleen Materne, Gina Parsonis
1988-89Bob Bellamy, W. Patrick SmithJennifer Obloza, Karen Daugherty
1989-90Dan Skrovan, Mike McGeeJulie Zimmerman, Shelly Miller
1990-91Jeff Merrill, Brian PcionekJen Barrett, Rungsinee Phoudad
1991-92Mike Power, Roger McCarthyTerry DiSciscio, Denise Chrien
1992-93Adam Dill, Scott JacobsTerri Gladwish, Allison Woolley
1993-94Dave Dobson, Jim RuhlenLisa Geggie, Heather Zenman
1994-95Brody McDonald, Ron KlingerCandy Bonnett, Stacy Butcher
1995-96Kurt Gehring, John StrmacBecky Fairman, Raina Gilmore
1996-97Kevin DeMain, Blair MillerWendy Braatz, Kelly Benedetti
1997-98Joe Victor, Jesse KreinbrinkLisa Maselli, Emily Roach
1998-99Shawn Grime, Chad HibbsRhonda Winings, Cutia Blunt
1999–2000Michael Perlatti, John LabbeBeth Borkosky, Sara Brewer
2000–2001David Humphrey, Ben KohlhorstMeredith Piersol, Nici Martin
2001–2002Justin Petitt, David DeckerAlicia Poluga, Janay Joyce
2002–2003Dan Kozlowski, Mike OrlandoSherry Johnson, Megan Manley
2003–2004Dan Stanowick, Hakim OliverRachel Tuttle, Melissa Rossin
2004–2005Jimmy Myers, Eric WagnerKristen Hertzer, Allison Coffman
2005–2006Alex Wright, Tommy BalickySara Moore, Sara Omlor
2006–2007Gino Georgetti, Eric HeilmeierKristen Wright, Niki Messmore
2007–2008Shane Lewis, Terry StreetmanMichelle Doyle, Tara McGinnis
2008–2009Chris Schiazza, Brendan CarrollLizzie Friedman, Courtney Hollister
2009–2010Andrew Gibson, Adam KowalskiCristina Wayton, Caitlin Borges
2010–2011Jared Miller, Doug KrysiakMolly Eaton, Nicole Ellwood
2011–2012Shawn Gilbert, Jonathan ZachrichMaddy Brown, Kate Finlayson
2012–2013Michael Majoros, Ryan EvartsKelsey Morgan, April McCoy
2013–2014Daniel Short, Sean KennedyJennifer Gonzales, Lauren Phillips
2014-2015Alex Koons, Landon WattsMaren Legg, Katie Magnacca
2015-2016Junior Mansaray, Will CasperLexi Adams, Jessi Furnas
2016-2017Drew Ashby-King, Zach JungKatie Wallroff, Katie Webb
2017-2018Brian Chaney, Spencer LockwoodChristine Nelson, Bailee Jesse
2018-2019Ethan Beegle, Isaiah SmithLaura Hohman, Abbey Warschauer
2019-2020Jake Elston, Hunter HovestLibby Zamiska, Mo Orr