Students at Heidelberg are familiar with the institution’s long standing mascot, Siggy the Student Prince. Heidelberg athletes refer to themselves as “Student Princes,” workout in the “Dungeon” and compete on the field at the “Castle.” However, Siggy’s origin and meaning seem lost to time.
Though Siggy remains, he was preceded by another mascot. Heidelberg had initially selected the cardinal as its mascot, as recorded in Case Western University’s “Observer” in February 2015. Though little is known about the origin of the original mascot, it was usurped by the Student Prince in 1926.
According to the Heidelberg Athletics webpage, Siggy was created by Edwin R. Butcher, Heidelberg’s former alum director and publicity agent. Although the story has, historically, been endowed with some embellishment, the Athletics webpage notes that the legend begins with a stroll through downtown Tiffin.
Butcher allegedly saw a billboard advertising an operetta titled the “Student Prince of Heidelberg” and was inspired. The operetta had been a hit on Broadway and eventually filtered its way through popular culture.
The notable performance followed Karl Franz, a prince, who began his education at Heidelberg University, Germany, while following in the footsteps of his tutor and father figure.
Using education to escape, Franz explored drinking and falling in love with commoners but eventually returned to assume the kingship. Though he pined for his lost love and dealt with the death of his mentor and family members, the operetta ended with Franz eventually settling with the wife chosen by his parents.
American composer Sigmund Romberg created the operetta, and the shortened version of his name, Siggy, later inspired the Student Prince’s name.
Upon observing the billboard advertising the dramatic tale, Butcher was struck with the idea of bestowing the accolade of Student Prince to Heidelberg’s football team in the next Heidelberg Bulletin he published. As the story goes, the name has stuck ever since. Or, for most of the time since.
During the 1990s, Heidelberg adopted the moniker “The Berg” and changed its mascot to the peak of the University Hall, then College Hall building. Due to backlash stemming from the loss of tradition and the similarity of the new icon to Otterbein University’s, the mascot was later reverted, yet “Berg ” remains a term of endearment for the institution.
Students have expressed mixed opinions regarding the everlasting mascot. Some see the mascot as dismissive of students who do not identify as male, while others appreciate its institutional history.
Bob Youngblood, alumni engagement and admission liaison, mentioned that Siggy reflected the university at the time of his creation. According to the Heidelberg Athletics website, the earliest women’s team to be recognized by the university is the 1986 volleyball team, whereas the men’s earliest team is the 1930 football team.
Youngblood also pointed out that the Student Prince mascot is unique and helps Heidelberg stand out as a small liberal arts college. As of May 2015, the HerCollege website selected the Student Prince as the top of its strangest college mascot list.
Love it or hate it, the Student Prince is here to stay as we look to recognize its 100-year anniversary in a few years.
Word Count: 521
TheKil! 