The mascot logo is better than the mascot name at
Rocky Ford (Colo.) - and that's saying something, because the Meloneer mascot name is downright awesome.
The small school in southeastern Colorado is the only group of Meloneers in the nation, and the school's athletic director in 2009 gave plenty of insight into the history of the mascot name during an
interview with the Denver Post.
Photo courtesy of Rocky Ford High School
The name was chosen in 1923, taken from the school newspaper, and it's "indefinable" according to Chuck Smithey. The logo was drawn up in the late 1960s, and it's a tribute to the community's Watermelon Day, a tradition during the Arkansas Valley Fair each year where free watermelons are given to the public.
The Meloneers know how to make the best melons, as evinced by President Obama's public endorsement of the area's fruits. And the name lends itself to a wonderful rhyme scheme of "Fear the Meloneer" possibly coupled with "On board with Rocky Ford."
Getting into the mascot logo, it's just such a menacing character. The Meloneer grits his teeth in a gnashing fashion while flexing some serious muscle on his arms. The furled brow shows he means business. And wow, look at those calf muscles.
You won't find too many mascot logos that look that tough, and you certainly won't find any Meloneers anywhere else.
