THE MIDWEST. Breweriana, Barware, Souvenir, c. 2020s.
Designed and printed in Amish Country, these cork-backed, absorbent ceramic coasters are not in themselves vintage, yet they certainly represent history. The Bowling Green State University (BGSU) intercollegiate athletic teams go by the Falcons, a nickname coined by one of the members of the school’s first team. Ivan ‘Doc’ Lake began playing in 1919 for the football squad. He graduated in 1924 and remained involved with BGSU sports for the rest of his life, working as a football official for 25 seasons, and as an official scorer for the basketball team until 1953. Throughout his tenure as the sports editor of the Bowling Green, OH, Sentinel-Tribune, Lake enthusiastically promoted Falcons athletics. The history of the logo is also one that this coaster set prompts telling. At the time that Doc Lake was winding down his long career of supporting the sports program at the university, a cartoon falcon, rendered in the school colors of orange and brown, was added to the primary logo. It was the design from 1966-1979. In 1980, a redesign introduced a very minimalistic badge of an abstract contoured bird’s head illustrated in just three thick lines. This stood until 2005, to be replaced in 2006 by the version seen on this set of 4 coasters. And it bears repeating that these promotional items were produced in “Amish Country” - which likely means an area of the United States not too far away from Bowling Green. The Amish are in regions of Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Ohio, with Holmes County in Ohio claiming their highest concentration in the world. Lots of history to absorb here - thank goodness we have some quality coasters on hand. [Condition: Like New. The box/package is somewhat worn, however.] (Regional beer can not included, for size reference only.)
Condition: Like New. Sports Related. Dimensions: 4” square x 0.25” deep / 1 lb 9 oz
