They got them an arena in Athens, Georgia, and it seats about 5,500, so come on and bring … your hockey money?
A new minor league hockey team in Georgia’s sixth-largest city is named in honor of one of their favorite hometown bands, the B-52s.
The ownership group behind the Federal Prospects Hockey League franchise announced on Wednesday, May 15, that the new team would be called the Athens Rock Lobsters — an homage to one of the B-52s’ biggest hits, “Rock Lobster.”
The name was decided through a public vote. The final two choices were both music-related: it was between Rock Lobsters and the Classic City Panic, a nod to another local band, Widespread Panic.
More than 8,000 people voted, and Rock Lobsters emerged victorious by only 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, in a statement. “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.”
The B-52s were fully on board with the idea of naming the team the Rock Lobsters, urging their fans to vote on social media. And they were thrilled to win the vote, according to a statement from the band:
“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!’”
— Statement from the B-52s
“Athens is a city with a rich cultural heritage, and the Rock Lobsters will be an extension of that,” added Scott Hull, the team’s executive vice president. 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 rest of the Rock Lobsters’ visual identity will soon be revealed, according to Wednesday’s announcement. “[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. The design’s vibrant red-based color scheme coming soon will infuse playful and energetic elements, encapsulating the exciting spirit of Athens and its music heritage.”
The Athens Rock Lobsters will kick off their inaugural FPHL season in October 2024. They’ll play at the 5,500-seat Classic Center Arena in downtown Athens, which is still under construction.
The FPHL is a single-A minor professional hockey league with teams in Connecticut, Georgia, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina and Virginia. The 2024-25 season will be their 15th season in operation.
