It was a battle of the bands (sort of) and the B-52’s won. With over 8,000 votes cast, fans chose Rock Lobsters as the name of Athen’s new hockey team.
Local artists suggested the name inspired by one of the B-52’s most popular tunes. It beat out Classic City Panic, inspired by another Athens band, Widespread Panic.
‘Rock Lobsters’ won by 565 votes.
“From the start, we knew we wanted a name that encapsulates the unique energy and spirit of Athens,” said Britton Briley, Director of Marketing for the Rock Lobsters. “The response from the community was incredible. The name ‘Rock Lobsters’ struck a chord with our fans, blending music, creativity, and a touch of humor. It’s the perfect identity for our hockey team.”
More than a hockey team
The B-52’s gave the new team name their blessing, saying in a statement: “Athens, Georgia is our birthplace and where we started our journey “down the Atlanta Highway” to spread our homegrown groove out to the universe. ‘Rock Lobster’ was one of our very first songs and we can testify that millions in the galaxy have gone wild to this deep sea surf anthem. We are truly honored to have our hometown hockey team named the Rock Lobsters. As the song declares, ‘Let’s rock!’ “
The team is expected to reveal its new logo and merchandise soon. A news release from Athens Professional Hockey says the team is working on a concept of a lively lobster character holding an electric guitar that cleverly transforms into a hockey stick, symbolizing the unique blend of music and sports that defines the team.
“Athens is a city with a rich cultural heritage, and the Rock Lobsters will be an extension of that,” said Scott Hull, Executive Vice President of the Rock Lobsters. “We’re not just building a hockey team; we’re building a community. The support from local artists, musicians, and fans has been overwhelming, and we can’t wait to hit the ice in October.”
The Rock Lobsters are part of the Federal Prospects Hockey League, an 11-team alliance along the East Coast. Their inaugural season opens in October, and they’ll play their first home game in the new Classic Center Arena on Oct. 26.
