That old hornets logo, I tell ya, it’s been around the block a few times. Seen a lot of changes, that old thing. It’s like an old friend, kinda. I remember when they first showed it off, it was a big deal around here.
They called it the Hornets cause some big shot general, Cornwallis or somethin’, said Charlotte was a “hornet’s nest of rebellion” way back when. Back in 1780 during that big war, ya know. That’s what they say anyway. So, they picked a hornet, makes sense I guess. They like to stir things up, just like them hornets, always buzzin’ around causin’ trouble.
First, they was the Bobcats, but then them New Orleans Hornets, they went and changed their name to Pelicans. That was in, let me think, 2013 or 2014, somethin’ like that. So, our Bobcats, they snatched up the Hornets name right quick. Everyone was happy about that, I reckon, gettin’ that old name back.
That first logo, it had that hornet, all mean lookin’, with a basketball. The letters was all blocky and that kinda blue-green color. Turquoise, I think they call it. Fancy word for a kinda blue, if you ask me.
- That old logo, it was on everything.
- Shirts, hats, you name it.
- Everyone was wearin’ it.
Now, they changed it a few times over the years. Folks get tired of the same old thing, I guess. They gotta keep things fresh, they say. But me, I like that old one. It’s got history, ya know? Like an old quilt, each patch tells a story.
They had that Hugo the Hornet too, the mascot. He was a fun one, always dancin’ around and gettin’ the crowd goin’. I remember my grandkids, they loved that big old hornet. It’s a shame he ain’t around no more. They got a new one now, but it ain’t the same.
There’s been a whole bunch of players wearin’ that Hornets name. More than a couple hundred, I bet. Some of ’em, they even made it to that big Hall of Fame. Parish, that’s one of ’em. And Divac, and Mourning. Good players, them ones. They made us proud, wearin’ that hornet on their chests.
I seen some folks talkin’ ’bout how they used a plain old “C” on their helmets for a little bit way back when, before my time really. They said it was only for like, six games or something, in 1974. That’s a long time ago. Must have been quite the sight.
Hornets, Bobcats, Pelicans, it’s all a bit confusin’ if you try to keep up with it all. But that old logo, the one with the hornet and the basketball, that’s the one I remember. That’s the one that means somethin’ to folks around here.
They got a new logo now, of course. It’s all sleek and modern lookin’. Not bad, I suppose. But it ain’t got the same charm as that old one. That old one, it was like a badge of honor. It meant you was from Charlotte, and you was proud of it.
- New logo’s okay, I guess.
- But that old one, that was special.
- It was like a piece of our town.
I don’t know much about all this newfangled stuff, these Intranets and what not. But I know what I like. And I like that old hornets logo. It reminds me of simpler times, of good basketball, and of a town that’s always been a little bit of a hornet’s nest, in the best way possible.
Folks these days, they like to change things up all the time. But sometimes, the old ways are the best ways. And that old hornets logo, that’s one of the best. It’s a classic, as they say. And classics, they never go outta style.
So, yeah, that old hornets logo, it’s more than just a picture. It’s a memory. It’s a feelin’. It’s a part of who we are here in Charlotte. And that ain’t never gonna change, no matter how many new logos they come up with. It’s like an old song you can’t get outta your head. It just sticks with ya, ya know? And that’s alright by me.
