Eagles fans don’t really have a problem with Elon. Sure, they’re another conference opponent looking to upend GSU on another beautiful Saturday at Paulson…but it’s still Elon. The Eagles have dominated Elon (founded 1889), winning six out of six with an average margin of victory of almost 24 since their first meeting in 1998. There like the new kid at the end of the street. Southern fans know he’s down there, but have more important things to worry about.
They may have to start worrying about them sooner than expected, with Elon coming in to today’s contest at 3-2 and 1-1 in SoCon play. But that’s a discussion for another day.
Located just down the road from Greensboro, N.C., Elon was doing well for a while in football before joining the SoCon in 2003.
Elon won back-to-back National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
(NAIA) national championships in 1980 and ’81. Sadly, it was also in 1981 that the school’s cherished senior oak tree died. Coincidence, probably not.
The Phoenix graduated to Division I athletics in 1999 and have had a tough go of it ever since. Elon hasn’t had a winning season since 2000 and have an overall SoCon record of 4-20.
Perhaps the problem lies in Elon’s officially changing their nickname to the Phoenix in 2000. Before then Elon was known as the Fightin’ Christians. Let’s have a little comparison shall we: Record before the name change — 421-324-18. Record after the name change — 21-46. I wonder why Elon stopped winning…hmm…could it beeeeee…SATAN!!!
In all seriousness, the Phoenix was chosen to symbolize the school’s
rebirth after a devastating fire in 1923 in which flames destroyed almost the entire campus. Major League Baseball manager Jack McKeon attended Elon, as did NASCAR driver Ward Burton and MLB umpire Joe West.
Odd, Elon chose a mythological bird representing a rise from metaphorical ashes for its mascot, yet its football team hasn’t really risen from anything to beat anyone (yet).
Elon’s campus was dubbed the nation’s second prettiest campus by the
2003 Princeton Review. This gives their 4,796 undergrads a chance to take a nice stroll through campus and forget about the preceding Saturday. Zing!
The word itself, Elon, is actually a Bible reference. Elon was a Hittite father-in-law of Esau, ancestor of the Elonites and a judge of Israel. If he were around today he’d probably declare this column fantastic!
So there you have it, a quick look at Elon and the Fightin’ Chris…er, I mean the Phoenix. We’ll see yah next time.
They may have to start worrying about them sooner than expected, with Elon coming in to today’s contest at 3-2 and 1-1 in SoCon play. But that’s a discussion for another day.
Located just down the road from Greensboro, N.C., Elon was doing well for a while in football before joining the SoCon in 2003.
Elon won back-to-back National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
(NAIA) national championships in 1980 and ’81. Sadly, it was also in 1981 that the school’s cherished senior oak tree died. Coincidence, probably not.
The Phoenix graduated to Division I athletics in 1999 and have had a tough go of it ever since. Elon hasn’t had a winning season since 2000 and have an overall SoCon record of 4-20.
Perhaps the problem lies in Elon’s officially changing their nickname to the Phoenix in 2000. Before then Elon was known as the Fightin’ Christians. Let’s have a little comparison shall we: Record before the name change — 421-324-18. Record after the name change — 21-46. I wonder why Elon stopped winning…hmm…could it beeeeee…SATAN!!!
In all seriousness, the Phoenix was chosen to symbolize the school’s
rebirth after a devastating fire in 1923 in which flames destroyed almost the entire campus. Major League Baseball manager Jack McKeon attended Elon, as did NASCAR driver Ward Burton and MLB umpire Joe West.
Odd, Elon chose a mythological bird representing a rise from metaphorical ashes for its mascot, yet its football team hasn’t really risen from anything to beat anyone (yet).
Elon’s campus was dubbed the nation’s second prettiest campus by the
2003 Princeton Review. This gives their 4,796 undergrads a chance to take a nice stroll through campus and forget about the preceding Saturday. Zing!
The word itself, Elon, is actually a Bible reference. Elon was a Hittite father-in-law of Esau, ancestor of the Elonites and a judge of Israel. If he were around today he’d probably declare this column fantastic!
So there you have it, a quick look at Elon and the Fightin’ Chris…er, I mean the Phoenix. We’ll see yah next time.
