Why does the high school 'Raider' mascot look like Genghis Kahn and not a cowboy? High school Trivia
I grew up with this Northfield Raider mascot on everything. It was on the basketball courts, painted through out the schools, on our jerseys, etc. It wasn't until I was a junior or senior in high school did I think to question what it was or what it symbolized. I actually didn't put two and two together about a "Raider" referring to the James gang that raided our town in 1876. But why is he depicted of Asian decent? Who came up with this guy? There's got to be some history out there about this. Please let me know if you have any guesses or actual historical background.
I could only find this version of the Raider. I believe the school decided a few years ago to remove his sword. I've drawn it back in here. Of course, the original version didn't included a basketball either. Note: The original Raider-Swordsman has both hands up at shoulder level, holding the huge sword over his right shoulder. Without my little drawing example, and the addition of the basketball, it would be hard to envision the original Raider emblem.
Finally, does anyone know what the high school year book's name means? "Norhian"? I have a guess but want to see what people think.
Almost certainly a shortening and combination of the words "Northfield High(school) Annual"...
I went to Roosevelt High in Virginia, our yearbook was the Rohian.
My thoughts - Northfield didn't have an Indian name (like Owatanna or Shakopee) so the high shool didn't pick an Indian type of mascot. What other type of feared fighter or attacker could one pick to strike fear in your heart if you were a violent-fierce football team? Ghengis Khan - a raider from the east, sweeping across the plains - killing those in his path! Wielding his sword against innocent freshman attackers from the surrounding schools.
NORthfield HIghschool - NORHI'ian - that was our best guess - right?
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