Active Team Sports: What's in a mascot?

*!http://active.typepad.com/teamsports/images/mudhen_1.jpg!http://active.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/mudhen_1.jpg
Meredith College* has announced that it???s looking for a new mascot. Meredith adopted the Angel as its mascot in 1980, but the all-women???s college has decided to toughen up and go in a new direction.

"I love the history of angels," said Meredith Roberson, captain of the tennis team and a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee. "But our sports are so up-and-coming ... we need something more competitive."

Having competed against many different schools and a variety of mascots, I know how important they can be to their communities. I've always been interested in the history behind why a certain team or school acquired their mascot. I did a little research to come up with some of the more unique mascots in sports that I believe are worth sharing:

UC-Santa Cruz Banana Slugs
Freeport Pretzels
Lansing Lugnuts
Toledo Mud Hens
Albuquerque Isotopes
Savannah Sandgnats
Scottsdale Community College Fighting Artichokes

What's the most unique team name you have heard of or encountered, from any level, in your sports experience?

Tags: ncaa, other, trish-oberhaus

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Feb 11, 2007 9:02 AM Reply

Pops

After WWII my father went to school in Tiffin, Ohio at Heidelberg College whose nickname was the "Student Princes". No doubt striking fear into the hearts of their opponents.

Feb 11, 2007 10:03 AM Reply

Sour

I am guessing that the Heidelberg College Student Princes were not known for their fierce athletics. However, I think the mascot is more of a cultural representation for the community than a representation of strength and achievement. Mascots are about pride, not winning.

Mar 23, 2007 3:10 PM Reply

Guest

The Poca High School (WV).

Poca Dots