Since joining the Skyland Conference in the 2006/2007 season, the Mountaineer has been the mascot behind the current football team, soccer teams, and all of the amazing sports teams Bernards has to offer. 

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the use of the word mountaineering would refer to one who likes or takes part in the sport and/or activity of a person climbing/scaling a mountain. The name “Mountaineers” originated when the school was established. Last year, during the Bernardsville Centennial celebration, the crest that could be seen featured what looked like a mountaineer. Showing the importance of this figure, and the fact that this had been the mascot since at least 1924,  when the school was established. 

Many believe the name was given due to the rocky and hilly town in which the high school is based in. The Bernard’s mascot gets its color from the show of crimson and red, depicted a lot by the school’s natural-themed colors. 

Thomas Lund ‘29 was asked about what he believes the mountaineer means. “As a group of students, teachers, and staff, we are all trying to climb like a mountaineer, with the common goal of basically achieving success.” Lund continued, “I believe that schools build image and character with mascots and that Bernard’s “Mountaineer” is a great example of a cool but also locally true figure.”

Matthew Kohler ‘29 “I think it’s important because it displays our school as more than just a team from Bernardsville, and when people say “mountaineers”, people know who they are talking about,” Kohler goes on to say, “It can energize us or hype us up knowing that the school we play for is well known because of a mascot. This will always also have an effect on our performances at home, I believe.”

The Bernardsville “Mountaineers” have maintained their rich history within the school. Throughout the many sports teams that Bernards has to offer, the mascot has stayed strong over the years, and the “Mountaineer” will continue its legacy without a doubt.