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History of the Braves and Bravetts

Ever wonder how the names Braves & Bravettes came about? Or how we got black and orange as our school colors?

   When FHS was built in 1898, they didn't sit down that year and decide our name and school colors. Actually, until about 1920, the school athletic teams were referred to as the "high school team," "varsity," or "the football team" (or track or basketball). We were actually referred to as "the Yellowjackets" for a while because the uniforms we had were plain black with orange arm and legs stripes, and the players somewhat resembled bees. When new jerseys were ordered, they were orange with black stripes.

   When the players started wearing these, their new nickname quickly became "the Tigers."

   Around that same time, Flathead took up our current school song "Onward Flathead." Some of you may already know that we borrowed the tune from Wisconsin's fight song.

   In November 1935, students of Flathead moved back into the newly remodeled high school. During the dedications ceremony, the administration unveiled a huge mural in the auditorium of Chief Aneas, appointed as chief of the Kootenais to unite the Braves.

   In 1972, when the Montana High School Association officially recognized girls' athletics, they realized they needed an official name for the girls. Inter Lake sports writer Les Rickey suggested the girls become the "Bravettes." Obviously, the name stuck.

   However, Flathead wasn't always orange and black. In fact, the basketball uniforms were red and white for a couple of years in the late 1920s. Football uniforms were gold and black for a couple of years starting in 1936. And during World War II, the uniforms were changed to blue and gold. The football coach said it was because many colors were in limited supply during the war.