School Crest
The crest or coat-of-arms of Archbishop Rummel High School symbolizes the school in a fourfold manner.
In the upper left quadrant is the star of faith of the Christian Brothers. This star symbolizes the faith of the faculty in youth and the faith which they seek to foster in their students.
Archbishop Joseph Francis Rummel is symbolized in the upper right hand quadrant by a hunting horn from his own coat-of-arms.
Dominating the lower left quadrant is an open book, symbolic of the knowledge provided by Archbishop Rummel High School and which is the basis of all the education and culture that is available to the students.
The seal of the state of Louisiana completes the rest of the lower right quadrant. The pelican is the state bird of Louisiana. This bird, which gives its blood to sustain its young, symbolizes the devotedness which should characterize the Archbishop Rummel High School student.
Separating and joining the quadrant is the cross, symbolizing religion, which keeps each endeavor of the school in its proper perspective and joins them all under its benevolent influence.
School Logo
The official school logo of Archbishop Rummel High School is the “R.” The “R” was introduced to the school community in 1972 by head football coach Don Perret. From 1972 through 1979, the football teams wore the same “R,” as it is known today, on the sides of their football helmets.
In 1995, new head football coach Jay Roth, ’81, was hired to bring his alma mater’s football program back to prominence. One of the first things that Coach Roth did in 1995 was to bring the tradition of the “R” back to the football program. The “R” that Coach Don Perret introduced in 1972 is still being used today as a hallmark of the school’s football program.
The “R” has become the most recognizable symbol of Archbishop Rummel High School. After completing an intense marketing survey in 2005, the school chose to adopt this symbol as the official logo for the institution. The “R” represents the same ideals that Archbishop Joseph Francis Rummel stood for – being Bold, Strong, and Unafraid.
School Mascot
After the school colors of Columbia blue, scarlet red, and white and the Raider mascot were established, school leaders asked famed New Orleans artist John Chase to draw the then unnamed Archbishop Rummel Raider. In 1966 the Raiders were participants in district track meet when Ms. John Cressend, the mother of a senior track member, suggested her son’s name, Rufus, as an appropriate mascot name to Principal Brother John Fairfax, FSC.
Brother John told Puffy Cressend that if her son won his upcoming mile race, the name of the school’s mascot would be Rufus. Sporting a broken arm, senior Rufus Cressend won the race and the school’s new mascot has been called “Rufus” ever since that day.
In 1978 the Archbishop Rummel student body had an election to name Rufus’ horse. After reviewing hundred of names, the students finally selected “Rumpus” as the name of Rufus’ horse.
The nickname “Super Ants” is sometimes associated with Raider football. This nickname dates back to 1972 when a tiny group of Raiders defeated the Chalmette Owls by a 3-0 score. The Owl coach said the Rummel defense was so thorough that it was like stepping into an ant pile.
