The Mangy Lion (1972-2019)

When the original Elkhart High School split in 1972, the idea of The Mangy Lion was born. It was a symbol for victory to whichever team emerged from the annual Memorial/Central football game with more points. That school housed Mangy in its hallways for a year, where he then went up for grabs during that three hour contest every season. Mangy was commissioned by the Elkhart Lion's Club in 1972 and carved by Mr. Jim Holland (a longtime Elkhart Community Schools teacher) at West Side Middle School. Mr. Holland found a large walnut tree in the woods that had been downed by a lightning strike (250 pounds before carving). He thought it the perfect tree out of which to mold a trophy, since, by surviving a brutal storm, it had already demonstrated the strength and perseverance he wanted the trophy to represent. On the base of Mangy is a dedication plaque from The Lion's Club, which reads:

This "Old Mangy Lion"

The lion, a symbol of strength and honor, is awarded annually to the Elkhart High School football champion to promote the universal spirit of friendly competition.

To the winner goes this token of perseverance and victory representative of the teamwork and commitment necessary to realize the goals of dedicated service.

The Elkhart Noon Lions Club, "We serve."

Sculptor

James A. Holland, 1972

The Mangy Lion was the last traveling football trophy to stop circulating in Elkhart County. When the new Elkhart High School began in 2020, Mangy was retired. Elkhart Central won the series record against Elkhart Memorial, 28-20. The final game in The Mangy Lion Series was played August 23, 2019 at Rice Field.