Galloping Ghost History
Kaukauna’s Galloping Ghost identity has been part of the community for generations. From the stories behind the unusual nickname to traditions like the Phantom Horse and Rider and the KHS fight song, these pieces of school history have been passed down through generations of students and remain an important part of what makes Kaukauna unique.
How We Became the Galloping Ghosts
Though there is some debate about the origin of the name Galloping Ghosts, we do know that the Galloping Ghosts came to be in the 1920s.
The two origin stories are as follows, according to the Kaukauna Public Library:
The first: A sports writer for a local paper promoted the name of "Ghosts" for Kaukauna's football team in one of the articles he wrote. The writer had predicted a Kaukauna win over the Appleton Terrors based on the fact that Kaukauna was lighter and would trample Appleton with our speed. This game was played on Halloween, and Kaukauna was dressed all in white, looking like a large group of ghosts galloping over Appleton.
The other story: “Tiger” Bill Smith, a recent graduate of Lawrence College in Appleton, was hired to coach Kaukauna's struggling high school football team. He motivated the team and especially his lighter-than-average (but speedy) running backs to emulate Red Grange's (who was known as the Galloping Ghost) goals and accomplishments.
Galloping Ghost Rider Tradition
Student William Robuch, the first Galloping Ghost Rider, with his horse in the 1940's
The Phantom Horse and Rider became part of KHS tradition in 1943, when student William Robach borrowed his brother’s horse and created what would become one of Kaukauna High School’s most distinctive traditions. Cloaked in bed sheets, Robach and his horse thundered onto the football field to present the opening ball to the referees.
More than 80 years later, that tradition is still going strong. The role of the Ghost Rider has been passed down through generations of KHS students, with each new rider carrying forward a tradition that connects today’s students with those who came before them. What began as one student’s creative display of school spirit has become a lasting symbol of Galloping Ghost pride and a tradition uniquely Kaukauna. Photo of student William Robuch, Galloping Ghost Rider, with his horse in the 1940's
The School Fight Song
A photo of the first KHS Band 1927
Kaukauna High School organized its first band during the 1926 to 1927 school year, just one year after the new KHS opened in the building now known as River View Middle School. The approximately 30 member group included woodwind and brass musicians and made its first public appearance during the school’s Mid Winter Fair.
That same year, the 1927 KHS yearbook included a handwritten manuscript of the K.H.S. Song, with words by Robert Grogan and music set to the tune of the University of Notre Dame’s “Victory March.” Together, the first band and the school song mark the beginning of a musical tradition that would become closely tied to KHS spirit.
Nearly a century later, the fight song is still used today, connecting generations of Kaukauna students, alumni and fans through one of the school’s longest standing traditions.
Ghost Spirit Song
(To the tune of the Notre Dame Fight Song)
Hail Kaukauna
Hail To Thee
We Thy Loyal Sons Shall Be
Fighting For The Orange And Black
In Future Years
You'll See Us Back
See The Laurels She Has Won
Through Every Good And Faithful Son
Her Courageous, Valiant Students
March On To "Victory"!!