The Story of Alfarata “Alfie” the Eagle
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Earlier this year a contest was announced to help name the Juniata Eagle. Submissions were accepted and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee voted on a list of finalists. From that list, the name Alfarata, Alfie for short, was chosen. The name has great roots in not only the history of Juniata College, but also the community at large.
By: Laura Chapman
Assistant Sports Information Director
chapmal@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Earlier this year a contest was announced to help name the Juniata Eagle. Submissions were accepted and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee voted on a list of finalists. From that list, the name Alfarata, Alfie for short, was chosen. The name has great roots in not only the history of Juniata College, but also the community at large.
The name Alfarata came from the young maiden described in a popular song of the early 1840’s. The tune, “The Blue Juniata,” was the first commercially successful song written by an American woman. It was so widely loved that a small town and county within Pennsylvania adopted the name Alfarata in celebration of the story that enchanted the American public. There was also an elementary school here in Huntingdon named for the popular mythical character described in the song. The building that formerly housed the school is now owned and operated by Juniata College and the campus annual is named the Alfarata Yearbook.
As General Sherman’s men marched across the south they sang the lyrics of “The Blue Juniata” to keep up morale. One night while in his tent, General Sherman heard a band playing the tune from across camp. When they finished he sent a runner to tell them to play it again. A group of men nearer to him began singing the words along with the band and thus began the General’s love for the tune.
Now that you know the Eagle’s new name, be sure to say hello to Alfie around campus.
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