Genesis of the Wilton Beaver Mascot
Over the years, many have speculated about why Wilton chose the Beaver as the school’s mascot. The answer has been elusive, but we believe we’ve uncovered the first reference to the "Beavers" in a Wilton Advocate article dated November 30, 1933.
At the time this article was written, the Wilton Boys Basketball Team, coached by Lefty Schnack, was having a successful season. The local newspaper, in covering their achievements, often referred to the team as Coach Schnack’s “warriors.” However, in the article referenced above, we see the very first use of the name “Beavers” associated with a Wilton team.
According to the article, Coach Schnack’s team embodied qualities often associated with beavers: hard work, determination, and teamwork. These traits were seen as reflective of the team’s collaborative efforts and relentless spirit on the court. The name stuck, and from that point forward, Coach Schnack’s boys were referred to as the Beavers.
Herman Thurston, the publisher and owner of the Wilton Advocate, oversaw the paper during this time, and the article was written by someone named Ginger. While Ginger’s identity remains unclear, Herman Thurston was the father of Donna Ruth (Thurston) Birkhofer and the great-great-grandfather of current WHS student Kaci Owens. Through extensive research in the Wilton Advocate archives, we found no mention of the “Beavers” prior to this November 30th issue. Subsequently, the first documented use of a Beaver logo appears in 1937 and can be seen in that year’s annual, where the Wilton Boys Basketball jerseys are adorned with a beaver chewing on a piece of wood.
This nickname stuck and it continued to be used not only for basketball but for all Wilton teams. It’s fascinating to see how one writer’s observation of the teamwork and determination of the 1933 basketball team would go on to inspire nickname which would become a mascot that has endured for generations.