Our history begins in Northfield, Minnesota. Of three inaugural teams to put down roots in 1968, the Northfield Black and Blue was founded by Professor Bill Hartley of Carleton College. While most of its team consisted of Carleton alumni, many of the players were leaving Northfield to move to Saint Paul. Thus, in 1974, the team packed up and moved as well.
In their first season, the Saint Paul team decided to find a mascot. After much debate, they settled on the Saint Paul Pigs. Saint Paul was known throughout the territory as Pig’s Eye Landing, but the Pig also seemed like the best animal to symbolize this new team. Strong, fast, and intelligent—the pig wasn’t afraid to get down and dirty when the need arose.
The addition of “Jazz” would come a few years later.
In 1978, Steve “Schmidy” Schmidt, a graduate of Carleton College, joined the Pigs. He was known as an unselfish player, dedicated to the club. After several seasons, Steve decided the name “Pigs” didn’t have enough flair. In 1980, he proposed they add “Jazz” to the team name. The proposal was initially turned down.
Tragedy struck in spring of that year. Steve was outside painting when his ladder struck an overhead power line. The Saint Paul Rugby team lost a true friend and outstanding player that day. The following year, they chose to honor Steve’s legacy and, in a unanimous vote, the team officially changed their name to the “Jazz Pigs”.
In 1982 a significant change came to the Saint Paul Rugby community. A women’s rugby club formed, the Twin Cities Amazons. In a search for guidance and friendship, the new team approached the Pigs. An instant bond developed between them.
Since then, the Pigs work closely with the Amazons, both on and off the pitch. Whether they play together or party together, this bond has helped them grow.
From the tables down at Half Time Rec,
To the place where Schmitty dwells;
To those dear old campus bars we love so well.
Sing the Little Pigs assembled,
With their glasses raised on high,
And the magic of their voices cast in spell.
Yes, the magic of their voices
And the songs they love so well,
While we’re wasting and cavorting like the rest;
We will serenade our Buca, while life and breath shall last,
And then pass and be forgotten Like the rest.
We are poor Little Piggies, who have lost our way.
Oink. Oink. Oink.
We are bad Little Piggies, who have gone astray.
Oink. Oink. Oink.
Gentleman songsters all are we,
Doomed from here to eternity.
Lord have mercy on such as we.
Oink Oink Oink
The Saint Paul Pigs are on the piss again,
On the piss again, on the piss again,
The Saint Paul Pigs are on the piss again,
Bastards all are we…
