Seattle Prep historians and Golden Panthers have very different memories of cheering on their classmates with the Seattle Prep fight song, and for good reason. In the early 1950s, the fight song changed.

Josh Parker ’45 entertained alumni with a piano rendition of the “old” fight song at a Palm Springs gathering last Christmas. He sang the tune, reminiscent of the Oregon State fight song, so often when his kids were little that even they know the words. Several years ago he was invited to play during a Rotary award presentation to the state champion girls basketball team. He called the Prep Athletic Department to confirm the music and was surprised to find out the song had changed.

The “new” fight song, firmly in place by 1956, echoes the University of Oregon music. Former band member Larry McHugh ’58 doesn’t recall any conversation about the change.

The lyricists, impetus and instigator for the change are still unknown. One theory points to a new music teacher, Thomas Rodrique, who joined the Prep faculty in 1953-54 and resurrected the pep band, in addition to leading a school band. Mr. Rodrique also taught at Seattle University, and the Shoreline School District, and was a founding member of the Cascade Youth Symphony. In 2000, he was inducted in the Washington Music Educators Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, he remembered an entirely different song during his time.

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Lyrics to “old” fight song

(until 1953)

Sung to the Oregon State University fight song melody

Panthers, Panthers, are hats are off to you

Fight on Panthers, sons of white and blue

We’ll cheer for every man, we’ll fight at every stand

Fight on you Panther team

When our teams go marching down the field

They’re true Panthers, they will never yield

Fight! Fight! Blue and white

Onward to victory!

Lyrics to “new” fight song

(after 1956, maybe before)

Sung to the University of Oregon fight song melody

Hail to thee our fighting Panthers

As we cheer your rip and roar

As we tear our foes asunder

Our fighting blood yells

More, More, More!

By our spirits we have proven

That the Panthers won’t give in

So Fight, Fight, Fight for Adelphia

And the Blue and White will win!