We have a name for the newest team in the summer-collegiate Northwoods League, launching in 2016: the Rockford Rivets.
Rockford Baseball Properties, which owns and operates the Northwoods League franchise, unveiled the name Thursday at the Women of Today’s Manufacturing scholarship fundraiser at the Maun-Nah-Tee-See Club.
Rockford, once known as the Screw Capital of the World, at its peak produced thousands of rivets, screws and other fasteners. Rockford’s own National Lock was one of the many companies nationwide that employed women who became popularized as “Rosie the Riveters” during World War II.
“We felt strongly that the name we chose needed to be unique and reflect the character and the history of the area,” Rivets general manager Chad Bauer said. “The Rockford area has a rich history and strong ties currently to manufacturing, and we wanted to recognize that with our name.”
The name was selected by the team following a period of public input in partnership with the Rockford IceHogs professional hockey team, the Northeast Branch of the Rock River Valley YMCA, and the Rockford Baseball website.
“The ‘Rivets’ name allows for a lot of flexibility with sub-branding various parts of the stadium and entertainment components of the game,” Bauer said. “We also wanted colors that gave an industrial feel and are unique in our League. With the black and old gold colors, we feel we have accomplished that.”
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