St. Ignatius Wildcat - San Francisco, CA
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member DougK
N 37° 44.830 W 122° 29.730
10S E 544445 N 4177883
St. Ignatius College Prepatory high school in San Francisco adopted the wildcat in 1928 as it's mascot. This statue depict a wildcat with a raised paw on a basketball, with the SI initials of the school.
Waymark Code: WME133
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 03/19/2012
Published By:Groundspeak Charter Member BruceS
Views: 9

This wildcat mascot for St. Ignatius College Prepatory high school is located in the lobby entrance to their basketball court and overlooks the indoor swimming pool. This statue depict a wildcat with a raised paw on a basketball, with the SI initials of the school.

St. Ignatius College Prepatory high school is located in the Sunset District on the west side of San Francisco. This side of San Francisco is notorious for being foggy.

The Origin of the Wildcat Mascot as reported in SI's school newspaper, the Red and Blue, on January 25, 1928:

Late in 1926, it will be remembered, a series of notices appeared on the bulletin board regarding the finding of a new name for our athletic teams. They had been christened the Gray Fog by a prominent sports writer, and the name clung to them, but it was desired to find a more appropriate term. The student bodies of both college and high school failed to respond, with the result that the name Gray Fog remained, and the high school teams were called the Foglets, or the Drab Drizzle.

With the separation of college and high school, it has been found desirable to distinguish the teams more strongly. Since the college was originally dubbed the Gray Fog, the Board of Control thinks it fitting that the college lightweights be called the Foglets, and the name has already been applied to them.

This leaves the high school in an advantageous position. Objections have come in from various quarters to the name Foglets, and now we have the opportunity to rechristen the teams permanently.

The Board believes that there has been ample time for the students to make suggestions, and since none have been offered, it has taken the matter into its own hands.

The name Wildcats has been decided upon, as best symbolizing the spirit of the high school teams. They have always been lighter than their opponents, and always been noted for their fighting spirit when in difficulties. Their goal line defense, and last-minute rallies on the basketball court, have been proverbial.

Moreover, it seems to be the universal custom to name teams after some animal. St. Ignatius can now take her place with the Cogswell Dragons, the Commerce Bulldogs, the Poly Parrots, and the Galileo Lions.

A plaque on the pedestal reads:


This statue is a gift to the school from
the classes of 1975 and 1976
to commeemorate their respective
WCAL Championship Basketball teams.
This statue also honors all of those
Wildcat Basketball Players, past and
present, who have proudly worn
the Red and Blue.


School name: St. Ignatius College Prepatory

Year Created/Dedicated: 1976

Artist: Not listed

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