A family reunion is planned for mascots – Taylor Duck mascots.
The Taylor High School Ex-Students Association is calling all THS mascots for a Waddles Family Reunion during homecoming festivities Sept. 23.
If you represented the school as Waddles, or if you were the mascot before the name Waddles began, your presence is requested for a historical “family reunion” as the ex-students trace our Duck roots to its early beginnings.
The Ducks’ earliest living mascot, Phil Pierce, served as the Taylor High School Mascot from 1936–1939, and plans to attend the reunion. Pierce, who was a second grader in 1936, served at a time when the mascot was a younger boy who dressed like the team and ran out with the team at all the games.
Pierce’s older brother Sidney played for the Ducks, and young Phil showed up to watch all the practices. Phil couldn’t wait until junior high or high school to join the team, so one day at practice the young boy approached legendary Coach T. H. Johnson with a special request.
“I started with Coach Johnson as a mascot back in 1936,” Pierce said in a 2019 interview. “The way I got the job was really simple. I was a little kid in second grade and I walked up to him and said, ‘Coach Johnson, I want to be the mascot’.”
Pierce laughed as he recalled Johnson’s answer, given to a young child who had interrupted the busy coach during practice.
“He looked down at me and said, ‘Ok, you’re the mascot. Now go over there and sit down and don’t say anything’.”
Pierce was given his team uniform along with a team sweater with a large white T and a small green M. He chose number 77 for his mascot jersey in honor of his football hero at the time, Red Grange, with the Chicago Bears. Over the years, the mascot has evolved into a costumed Duck character named Waddles. Pierce went on to become captain of the 1945 team, an undefeated and untied team that won the regional championship.
Homecoming festivities will be held Sept. 23, at the KC Hall. Doors will open at 9 a.m. for visiting and refreshments. A chopped beef sandwich lunch will be served at 11:15 a.m. for $10 a plate with tickets available for purchase at the door. The program, including the mascot reunion, begins at 12:15 p.m.
