Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Blue Devils Name

This is more of a question than a topic. Does anybody know why our sports' teams were called "Blue Devils"? Where did the name come from and when did it begin?

10 comments:

  1. Patsy, I just returned from the Library and found some interesting items. The BHS Football Team was initially formed in September of 1924. A Mr. McLeod was the first coach, and it was indicated that everyone liked him. Throughout the late '20's, the football team was referred to as the "Blue-White Team." I found a couple of publications from the High School 1924-1927. The Blue-White Basketball Team traveled to Blue Ridge on January 22, 1926, and they were defeated 16 - 4. The article said it was a very poor exhibition of basketball. (Sounds like it, doesn't it?) In 1925 the Captain of the Blue-White Football Team was Branch Paxton, and the Quarterback was Pete Breese. Anyway, the first annual (hardback) of BHS was published in 1944, and all the sports teams were called "Blue Devils." I am going back to review some old Brevard News Papers from the 30's to see if I can find more info. I talked with my son, and this rings a bell with me, too, that the Duke Blue Devils were so popular in NC, that our BHS team was named after them. He wasn't really sure though. I found a picture, also, of our dear old school, when it was brand new. It was open for classes in October, 1925, at a cost of $125,000! Since I have found a gold mine of old information, I will be going back. Our library is great!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I also discovered that a number of High School girls entertained the football team with a cookout at Connestee Falls after our great victory over Weaverville on Thanksgiving Day. (The score was not posted.) This was in 1925.
    Never knew we played Weaverville, did you?

    ReplyDelete
  3. I sure didn't know this - how interesting Becky. Keep us informed, huh girl?

    ReplyDelete
  4. The Brevard Blue Devils first took to the field in the year 1925. The team’s field was on South Broad Street.
    Players were:
    Fred Hollingshead, Jack Trantham, Ed Jones, Frank Osborne, Clyde “Speedy” Jones, Harold Whitmire, and Tom Whitmire, Pete Breese, James Walters, Branch Paxton, and Phillip Hunt.

    Jean

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Jean: As I mentioned, from the information I found at the Library, in 1925 and the years following, the team was referred to as the Blue-White Team. I really believe the name was given to the team in the late 1930's or early '40's. I am still researching.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Becky,
    If you find out I would love to know. I am the class of 60's historian and am always looking for historical moments to include in my history note books.
    I didn't know they were call the Blue-White Team this is great info!!! Transy Co. was the first school in the state of NC to have an integrated football team in the 63/64 school term. The coach then was Cliff Brookshire and he invited the black students to try out for the team. Six made the team. The rest is history!!!

    Jean P.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Interesting info, Becky and Jean. There's a lot of familiar names on that first team - hard to believe it's approaching a hundred years since they first played. Look forward to hearing more Blue Devil history. I think I still know the school song!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I talked with John Huggins, Class of '56, this weekend, and he told me that Jack Alexander of the Ecusta era used to live next door to him. Jack helped coach the BHS football team in the early years, and he was a former Duke player. I found on the internet that Jack played for Duke in 1933, 1934, and 1935 and lettered each of those years. So, since he was devoting his time and energy for BHS, he decided, without objection, to name the team after his Alma Mater. Therefore, our team became the Brevard High School Blue Devils. All you Carolina fans can weep now! (I wouldn't have liked the Brevard High School T. H.'s. Just kidding, because I am a Wolfpack fan.) Anyway, Jack probably is the exact reason our team is today the Blue Devils!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Becky: I think that is Great ! I can't imagine them being anything but, The B.H.S. Blue Devils. You may very well have solved the mystery.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Becky,
    Thank you so much for this!!! I will add it to my History.
    Jean

    ReplyDelete