PRAIRIE GROVE -- Legendary American Wrestling Association figure Baron Von Raschke, known as "the Clawmaster," may have never performed in the Prairie Grove gym but his patented finishing move is in demand.
During their Jan. 19 meeting, Prairie Grove School Board reviewed graphics for the new competitive basketball gym currently under construction. Discussion ensued with regard to a center-court emblem in the new gym. The Board viewed a proposed graphic of a tiger. Member Beth Everett said she heard some people thought the graphic looked cartoonish and also stated the tiger should pop a claw to appear more menacing.
Retracted claws are for pet, cuddly, kitty cats. Tigers hurtling after prey are snarling, swiping creatures of combat.
"I think the Tiger needs a claw," Everett said.
Exactly the way Von Raschke would have envisioned how to finish off an opponent. Don't let them feel too comfortable playing on your school's home court.
Von Raschke would grimace, raise his arms, clasp his hands together fashioning the "iron claw" and apply the hold to the head rendering many a previously fast-moving opponent stationary in the center of the ring as pressure was applied before lowering him to the mat for a pin.
Ditto for Prairie Grove.
Has anyone outside of the 4A-1 Conference heard of Prairie Grove girls basketball coach Kevin Froud unleashing a full-court ferocious Tiger press? Boys coach Steve Edmiston has also been known to employ such a tactic to do in opponents.
Do we hear a second from the PGHS student body endorsing Everett's motion for the Tiger to pop a claw?
Allen Williams, Prairie Grove superintendent of schools, said staff members thought the tiger head might work if a portion of the chin was removed and the Board concurred with this assessment.
Prairie Grove High School Principal Ron Bond said of various choices considered, the basketball coaches like the tiger head best if it could be fixed.
The consensus was the graphic needs tweaked.
Don't forget to add claws.
General News on 01/28/2015