Mascot Quiz Answer Key: A Brief History of Some NCAA Mascots

1. Syracuse University Orange

Otto the Orange

Syracuse has one of my favorite mascots and one of the most interesting mascot histories. Otto- a bizarre-o androgynous fuzzy looking fruit?- whatever it is, is the product of a long evolution of Syracuse mascots. 

Before Otto, the then Orangemen were represented by the Saltine Warrior. Based on a tall tale of an Indian chief who had been buried beneath the old women's gymnasium,  the Saltine Warrior was dropped in 1978 due to concerns about its cultural insensitivity. After unsuccessfully trying to replace it with a gladiator, Syracuse officially made this orange their mascot in 1980, and it was named "Otto" in 1990.

2. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Buzz the Yellow Jacket 

Georgia Tech's athletic teams were named after the yellow jackets worn by their fans and in 1905 they officially took up the nickname. In 1980 Buzz made his first official appearance as a member of the cheerleading squad.

3. Notre Dame Fighting Irish

The Leprechaun 

The Leprechaun was named Notre Dame's official mascot in 1965. He was preceded by an Irish Terrier, or rather, multiple Irish Terriers throughout the years, the first of which made an appearance in 1930. The terrier mascot eventually took the name Clashmore Mike.

4. Purdue University Boilermakers

Purdue Pete

Purdue Pete, while not the official mascot of Purdue University, is an iconic emblem of Purdue sports. First created as an advertising logo in 1940, Pete got his name four years later and became an on-field mascot in 1956.

5. University of Florida Gators

Albert the Gator

The alligator was first used as an emblem for the University of Florida in 1908. In 1957, the university saw its first live alligator mascot, Albert. Thirteen years later, a costumed version of Albert appeared. In 1986, Alberta, Albert's female counterpart, arrived on the scene, and the two are now the official mascots of the University of Florida.

6. The Ohio State University Buckeyes

Brutus Buckeye

"Buckeyes" has been the official nickname at Ohio State since 1950, but Brutus, their beloved mascot, didn't make his debut at a football game until 1965. Brutus underwent many makeovers before he appeared as the Brutus we know today, and in 2007 he was inducted into the mascot hall of fame.

7. The University of Kansas Jayhawks

Big Jay 

The history of the Jayhawks mascot can be traced back all the way to before the civil war. This mythical bird is a hybrid between a blue jay and a sparrow hawk. The term "Jayhawkers" was originally used to describe both sides of the battling factions of the civil war in the Kansas Territory, but eventually stuck to the abolitionists. The Jayhawk became a symbol of patriotism and was adopted by the university. Big Jay was the original Jayhawk mascot and he was joined by his current companion, Baby Jay, in 1971.

8. Wichita State University Shockers

WuShock

The first known instance of the name "Wheat Shockers" being used to describe the football players at Wichita State (at the time Fairmount College) was in 1904. The name comes from many of the players' practice of harvesting, or "shocking" wheat during the offseason. The name was eventually shortened to "Shockers" and in 1948 WuShock, the personified bundle of wheat, was created during a fraternity mascot competition.

9. California Golden Bears

Oski the Bear

Oski first appeared on September 27, 1941. He is named after an old spirit yell, the Oski Yell. He also has the rare talent of being able to drink beverages through his eye.

10. University of Minnesota Golden Gophers

Goldy Gopher

In 1926, football coach Clarence Spears named his team the gophers, after Minnesota's nickname, the Gopher State. Their all-gold uniforms later inspired the nickname the Golden Gophers, and Goldy Gopher first appeared in the 1940's. Say what you will about him, but in both 2011 and 2013, Goldy won national mascot titles.