updated by LISD staff Dec 31, 2024
It seems Lewiston High School adopted the Bengal as its mascot on December 31, 1924, as evidenced by a newspaper clipping in The Lewiston Morning Tribune on that day. The clipping was shared on the Facebook page of Historic Lewiston, Idaho, run by Steven Branting, posted on February 25, 2021.
“Lewiston’s football team this fall resembled nothing so much as the noted Bengal tiger, and since the tiger is such a common name and Bengals is not, it was decided to adopt the latter as the sport name for all Lewiston athletic teams. In the animal kingdom, the Bengal tiger is the most ferocious and most feared of all animals, and in athletics it is hoped Lewiston’s teams will live up to the reputation of its name.”
According to Historic Lewiston, Idaho, “Several suggestions were given to the school and the Tribune, which would use any of several generic names, such as “cagers” or “quintet” for the basketball teams.” In the Purple and Gold Yearbook, much praise was given to the coach at the time, Loren H Basler, aka ‘Baz.’ Stating “Two years ago [sic] came to us with the highest recommendations and a reputation as an athlete behind him. At that time our athletics were in the mire. In two years he has put us on the athletic map and today we are considered as a formidable foe by any school of our size.”
The choice of a distinct name may well have been a consequence of Lewiston State Normal’s choice of “Pioneers” for their basketball team in late 1923.
What did they call the teams before “Bengals” was chosen? No certain evidence has surfaced that any special and unique name was used, however, in the 1925 Yearbook, the teams were referred to as Baz’s Demons and Baz’s Warriors, then on page 89 as the Bengals.
According to Branting, in 1945 the word “Golden” was added and used until the late 1980s.
October 2023, the new high school unveiled a bronze Bengal by Class of 1984 artist, Shayne Watkins. Watkins was inspired by many of his teachers and was encouraged to create a bronze sculpture each year at Lewiston High School which culminated in a second career creating bronze cast sculptures.
Additionally, on page 16 of the Purple and Gold Yearbook of 1924-1925, purple and gold were explained as school colors. The Class of 1900 chose gold to represent Idaho as a mining state and purple because it was a “harmonious” color and the color for the “local tonnage of prunes.” The yearbook states, “The colors are very appropriate and beautiful if the proper shades are adhered to, as was the class’ intent.”
For more information regarding the history of Lewiston and Lewiston schools, follow the Historic Lewiston, Idaho Facebook page.
Below, is the first image of a Bengal in the 1924 Purple & Gold yearbook.
