Happy Birthday to Us (Sort Of)

JERSEY SHORE, NJ - Happy Birthday to the BlueClaws...sort of. 21 years ago, on February 28, 2000, the BlueClaws were given a name! 9-year old Matt Koscielski of West Belmar was the winner of the Name the Team contest, announced at a press conference 21 years ago.

At the time, Koscielski was a fourth grade student at West Belmar Elementary School. There were over 5,000 submissions in the Name The Team contest, and 49 people submitted the name BlueClaws. Koscielski was selected as the contest's winner. He earned season tickets and threw out a ceremonial first pitch on Opening Night.

"When we were coming up with the name, I said 'Sharks,' but [my dad Bob] thought it was too common," leading to the pivot to BlueClaws.

Per a story in the Ocean County Observer:

The youngster said it took him and his father about 10 minutes one night to come up with the BlueClaws. Other names Matthew considered were Flukes and Clippers, but he wanted something that pertained to the Shore.

"I wanted a name that deals with an animal that is native to this area," he said.

Jan Gaultier of Ocean County was the adult winner of the contest.

The BlueClaws name has held up very well over the years. Over 7.7 million fans have come out to see BlueClaws games. The team re-branded to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws in October and will open their 20th Anniversary Season on May 4th.

-Jersey Shore BlueClaws-