By Rich Larson
The Northfield School District is once again taking up the conversation about how Northfield High School’s teams and programs are visually represented, as district leaders review two finalist images for a new Raider mascot logo.
Superintendent Matt Hillmann said the effort has been several years in the making, following what was described as a “bumpy” but thoughtful process. While the Raiders name itself is not changing, the district is considering what image best represents today’s students.
“Northfield has been and always will be the Raiders,” Hillmann emphasized. “What we’re talking about is the logo or image that represents today’s Raiders.”
The renewed push began with students. Members of RALI — Raider Athletic Leaders Inspiring Enthusiasm — approached district leaders more than a year ago to request an updated image they felt better reflected their experience at Northfield High School. The school board had previously retired the longtime Raider logo in 2021, noting that while it served the community for decades, students no longer felt it resonated with them.
Since then, students have taken the lead. Over the past year, they conducted an extensive community engagement process, collecting more than 30 submissions from 25 contributors. A student committee of nearly 20 members reviewed the designs and narrowed the field to a small group of finalists.
The district and the Northfield Booster Club then partnered with Neuger Communications to professionally refine the top designs, testing how they would look on apparel, signage and in monochrome versions.
Two images ultimately emerged as finalists: a horse and a cow. The horse is meant to reflect Northfield’s Old West history, including the community’s resistance to the James/Younger Gang, while emphasizing qualities students identified as athletic, intelligent and regal. The cow connects to Northfield’s longtime nickname, “Cows, Colleges and Contentment,” and was praised for its uniqueness among Big Nine Conference schools.
Hillmann said the process has provided students with an authentic leadership experience, including navigating disagreement and public feedback. The school board is now seeking community input and is expected to make a final decision on April 27.
“This is about what a Raider means to students right now,” Hillmann said. “That’s who we’re here for.”
Rich Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
