Traditions  
"Our Mascot"
   
Noble Redskin
The mighty Redskins stood in place
with folded arms and painted faces.
Determined, yes, with furrowed brow
To bring the vic’try then as now.
For many years he served our school,
‘twas no exception, ‘twas the rule,
Providing inspiration when
‘twas twelve points down or fourth and ten.
We say goodbye through all our tears
To you served so well for years.
With baskets sunk, or pitches tossed
Your memory will not be lost.
The bravest of the brave was he,
So sad he can no longer be.
And now there’s one last thing to say:
A noble Redskin died today.
  
Noble Redhawk
A noble Redskin died today.
A bright young Hawk is born.
The Redhawk soars in Central skies
As if to say, ‘Don’t mourn’
Now through the years I’ll serve you well
Your mascot shall I be.
Through thick and thin we’ll fight to win
And you’ll be proud of me.
I’ll bear your colors with great pride.
The Redhawk seems to say.
Onward, upward, never stalling.
Halting never, come what may.
So join me now, new Redhawk friends.
In cheering every Central feat.
For years to come we’ll toast our teams
While boasting every vic’try sweet.
   
The Redskin mascot was used for 54 years without any criticism. During that time it was not considered a racial slur but a symbol of bravery and dignity. More recently, Native Americans voiced offense at the term, considering it derogatory. On April 2, 1992, an agency of the Illinois State Board of Education recommended that NCHS drop the name after receiving a residential complaint.   

In response to the ISBE recommendation Naperville Central student government canvased the entire student body. Students voted to retain the mascot by a 10-1 ratio. Despite this support, the school board, on June 15, voted against the Redskin name, 5-2. Students and members of the Naperville community organized petitions and protests, forcing a school board review. Despite community pressure the school board remained firm: NCHS had to change its mascot.   

On October 21st, NCHS voted on a new mascot. Students had several choices: The Cardinals, Chargers, Crimson Knights, Crimson Pride, Cougars, Razorbacks, Redhawks, Scorpions and Wolverines. Taking a stand against the forced change, nearly half of the student body did not vote. Those who did vote selected the Redhawks. This new mascot paved the way for the rebirth of Central pride. Naperville Central is the only high school in the state of Illinois to have the Redhawk name.   

A red hawk is an especially appropriate mascot for NCHS. A red-tailed hawk, sometimes called a redhawk, is common in the Midwest. More significantly, a young hawk remains high above the ground in its nest, following its elders until learning to live independently. Naperville Central High School now hopes that its students, like young hawks, will achieve a new sense of accomplishment and pride as they learn lessons from their elders and achieve their own independence.  
   
"Superfan"
The Redhawk student section at a many games is lead by a face painted and flag waving "superfan". 

The 1999-2000 "superfan" role was played by Mike Maloff and Kristen Scherer.
The student section cheers the Redhawks on to another victory at a Boys Basketball game. The student section is again lead by the "superfan".
   
"The Spike Ball"
   
Legend has it that in 1975, just prior to the first football game ever played between Naperville Central and Naperville North, Central Coach John Perry made a promise to his team. If they scored 40 points and shut out the Huskies, he would gladly suffer the penalty and let them spike the ball in the end zone.  

Late in the fourth quarter, with the shut out in tact, Central's Bret Bricker dove into the end zone to make the score 45 - 0. True to his word, Coach Perry gave him the green light and let Bricker spike the ball in the end zone.  
 
  
"The Spike Ball" became the traveling trophy annually awarded to the winner of the Central vs. North football game. Each year the score of the game is painted on the ball and the scores exist as a living history of the annual Fall battle. 
  
The legend lives on today and with the success of the two programs in the IHSA playoffs, many years the schools face each other twice  with the opportunity to avenge the regular season outcome in the playoffs. Since 1975, neither team has been able to "spike" the ball again according to Coach Perry's original criteria. 
 
   
"We're From Central, Mighty, Mighty Central!"
   
Every where we go, people want to know, 
Where we come from, so we tell them,  
We're from Central, Mighty, Mighty Central!

This chant was started by the football team in the mid-1990's. It began as a team cheer after practices and games and quickly spread to the student body. 
  
It is common for the student section to gather around the team after a big win and chant this verse in unison. It has also become a part of pep assemblies as well. 
Back