Bowers School Song

Bowers Blackshirts—Black and gold

School song—Illinois Loyalty

“We're loyal to you,.BHS

we're old gold and black BHS

We'll back you to stand

'gainst the best in the land

For we know you have sand BHS

Our team is our fame protector

On boys, for we expect a victory

from you BHS

For we think you are grand!”

School yearbook--BHS Memories

School newspaper--Bowers Breeze

According to Butch Dale, the origin of the nickname came from the jerseys they wore in 1916. The jerseys were white with a black stripe and the fans called them the Blackshirts. The Blackshirt thugs of Benito Mussolini were formed in 1923 so The Bowers nickname had no connection with Mussolini's Blackshirts.

- thanks Bill Boone :)