Carlsbad High School (Carlsbad, New Mexico) - Mascot and Colors

Mascot and Colors

CHS' athletic teams are known as the Cavemen (boys) and Cavegirls (girls), a tribute to the world-famous Carlsbad Caverns located near the city. The school's mascot is a caveman named "Rusty". Rusty received his name from the first Caveman statue placed on display in the Main building. This statue was often decorated and dressed in blue for special occasions (e.g. district championships, rivalry victories, state championships). Rusty was often subject to abuse from rival high schools. For example, Artesia High School students once kidnapped and dropped him at Lake Avalon, just north of Carlsbad. Local residents retrieved him out of the lake after a few years had passed. He now resides in the library (on the third floor of the Main Building) facing out the window and overlooking the campus. School colors are Blue, Silver, and White. Beginning in 2007, the school began the use of black on shirts along with band, cheerleading, and basketball uniforms.