This skirt made by Cheryl Ball is being displayed at the Marshall County History Museum. Photo By: Taylor Drake

By Taylor Drake

Around the 1960s Plymouth High School had a mascot named Willy Pilgrim. Willy would appear at basketball games during half time. He has recently been shown at the Marshall County History Museum on a spirit week skirt.

PHS alumnus Cheryl Ball, owner of the skirt, said, “Willy Pilgrim, was the mascot for Plymouth’s basketball team, because we were called the Plymouth Pilgrims. The football team was known as the Rockies and the yearbook was the Mayflower.  Willy was a little boy mannequin dressed as a young Pilgrim. They would stand him in the center of the court at home games during half time. I have recently heard that he was painted on a large poster and used in the 70’s.” Another PHS alumnus and former teacher Allen Shockney said, “PHS used to have a person dress as a Pilgrim and carry a fake blunderbuss (a gun from our early history) at home basketball games.  He would stand in the middle of the gym floor before games and at half time.”

Even after the research there is not much found about Willy Pilgrim, so if you have any information about him please contact tdrake64@plymouth.k12.in.us.