Friends University’s athletic teams were first known as the Fighting Quakers. Though today, Friends University is a nondenominational Christian university, not affiliated with a specific religious organization, the University was originally founded in 1898 by the Society of Friends (better known as the Quakers). Throughout history, the Society of Friends has been known as one of the historic peaceful churches, hence creating a historical oxymoron through the adoption of the Fighting Quakers. Though governance of the institution was turned over to an independent Board of Trustees in the 1930s, the University athletic teams remained known as the Fighting Quakers, using a duck as their mascot symbol, up to 1960.

 

After 1960, the Friends University student body felt the duck no longer suitably represented Friends University. This opinion spurred the evolution of the University mascot into what we know today as Freddy Falcon. At that time, the Falcon, viewed as a fast, agile bird, was decidedly a fitting mascot for Friends University, resulting in the dawn of Friends University Falcon Athletics.

Falcon Fight Song

Roll Falcons roll!

Roll Falcons roll!

Mighty Falcons in control,

roll Falcons roll!