Tradition of "Cobber"
In 2009, ESPN – “the total sports network”
– compiled a list of the most creative, inventive or quirky
college team nicknames. Number two on their list was the Concordia
Cobbers.
The Cobber logo is represented as a snarling (though friendly) ear
of corn, wearing a handsome maroon sweater and green husks for
trousers.
The editors at ESPN liked the nickname because “how fierce
can a corncob be? But that's what makes the Cobber special - it
symbolizes not only Concordia's athletic spirit, but its overall
good sense of humor.”
So what’s a Cobber?
In the Yiddish dialect of Hebrew, a cobber is a friend, comrade or
good companion. In old Australian slang, a cobber is a good buddy,
a pal (‘ga day, cobber!) And in Britain a cobber is someone
to take a liking to.
In Moorhead, the origin of the term was more likely intended as a
term of ridicule, dating back to the founding of the college in
1891.
Another Moorhead college, Hope Academy, founded by Swedish
immigrants, was Concordia’s first rival. While their school
was located in the city proper, Concordia was “out in the
country,” surrounded by farmland. So the urbanite Hope
students derisively called the predominately Norwegian farm boys
from Concordia “corncobs.”
Before Hope Academy closed in 1896 due to lack of funds, some of
its students seemed to look with envy upon the success that
Concordia enjoyed from its start.
After the boys' dormitory had been erected at Concordia, literary
entertainments were held in the basement that then was called the
Commercial Hall. These programs were well attended by people from
both Fargo and Moorhead. As Hope, in Moorhead city proper, failed
to duplicate this patronage by the public, a feeling of jealousy
developed.
For this reason some of the boys from downtown came to disturb the
programs at Concordia. To them must go the credit of composing the
following lines that they took great delight in yelling, loud and
repeatedly:
"Corncobs! Corncobs!
Hva' ska' Ni Ha?
Lutefisk and lefse --
Yah! Yah! Yah!"
The corncobs nickname stuck around for some 30 years until the
name Cobbers gradually evolved. With time, what originated as a
slur was embraced so today the Cobber nickname is one students,
athletes and alumni carry proudly.
Before the name Cobber stuck, however, Concordia athletic teams
tried out many names. Early teams were called Lutefiskers,
Corncobbers, Corncobs, Concordians, Lutherans and Vikings.
In the 1920s, the Concordia student newspaper lamented the fact
that the college did not have a satisfactory name for its athletic
teams. The article stated that a name should be short, easy to use
in songs and yells and have some connection to the college. The
name "Viking" was suggested but it failed to catch on with
students.
About this same time, Fargo sportswriters took to calling
Concordia's teams “Cobbers,” which made for snappy
headlines. In 1928 the campus newspaper began referring to Cobbers
in its sports reporting, and in 1932 the name of the yearbook was
changed from Scout to Cobber, and with that, the name became
permanent.
Today, Concordia students continue to have fun with their
nickname. “Fear the Ear” t-shirts featuring a
snarling corncob are best sellers in the Cobber Bookstore.
“Kernel” is the name of the mascot frequently seen at
sporting events. “Zea Mays,” taken from the scientific
name for corn, is the name of the dance team, a popular lunchroom
and student lounge in the Knutson Campus Center is named “The
Maize,” and the “Korn Krib” is a shop in the
Campus Center that sells t-shirts and snacks.
Each summer, thousands of Concordia alumni gather across the
United States for annual Corn Feed picnics, where they eat roasted
ears of corn and reminiscence about their golden days on
campus.
Concordia
Athletic Colors
Cobber athletic teams wear uniforms trimmed in maroon and gold
colors.
Concordia
Athletic Mascot
Kernel, is the official mascot of Concordia College Cobber
athletic teams.
Kernel’s professionally designed outfit features a half
smiling, half snarling yellow or golden ear of corn, wearing a
maroon uniform top with the official Chicago “C” symbol
on its chest, and green leggings meant to evoke corn stalks.
Kernel, chosen from student volunteers, is usually a happy mascot,
waving to the crowd while celebrating touchdowns, goals and Cobber
victories. Kernel also makes several community appearances each
year.
Use of Cobber
“C” and The Kernel
The official athletic mark for Concordia College Athletics is the
Cobber “C.” The letterform was adopted from the Chicago
“C.”
The Cobber “C” is reserved for athletics at Concordia.
It is used to identify any and all communications, uniforms and
other marketing communications elements that relate to any and all
of the intercollegiate and intramural athletic programs of
Concordia College.
The alumni office also uses the Cobber “C” in specific
instances.
“The Cobbers” (or simply “Cobbers” or
“Cobber”) is the official name used to designate all
Concordia College athletic teams, athletes and alumni.
“Kernel Cobb,” a.k.a. “The Kernel,” is the
official mascot of the Cobbers.
The Department of Communications and Marketing at Concordia
College must approve all uses of the “Kernel” and
Chicago “C” images.