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History of the 'Silver Streaks' Nickname |
Galesburg High School has used a number of
nicknames in referring to athletic squads.
Prior to 1930,
the varsity teams were not especially nicknamed. It was in
1930 that the name “Fighting Tigers” started to be used in
identifying the varsity squads.
In
the season of 1934-35, the Galesburg High School basketball
team was referred to as the "Silver Streaks". This came about
as a result of the Pioneer Zephyr, a train that was
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the first of the diesel locomotives. It made its
run for the first time through Galesburg in April of 1934.
The World’s Fair of 1933
held in Chicago and the making of the movie Silver Streaks
in 1934 were influential in promoting this popular nickname.
Because the locomotive was speedy, an attribute identified with
the 1934-35 Galesburg High School basketball players, the Silver
and Gold became the Silver Streaks. Thereafter, prior to the
openings of each varsity game (football and basketball), the
famous cheer of “Hi-Ho Silver Away” became an established
tradition at GHS.
To compliment the Silver
Streak name, the GHS basketball team had a small wooden locomotive
constructed. It was a replica patterned after the well-known
Silver Zephyr. This device was used for years by team managers and
held medical supplies and towels. The locomotive was not used in
the 1960s after the high school moved to its present site. The
name Silver Streaks, however, continues to be used as the nickname
of teams sponsored by GHS.
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Information provided by Mr. Charles Bednar, former GHS athletic
director and coach. |
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