Mascots - the lovable furry friends that inspire fans and their teams.
Spirit fingers,
The Last Night's Game Team
1. Stanford University’s team name is “The Cardinal” (after the color red and yes, it’s singular). They were the Indians until 1972 and they haven’t had an official mascot since then as no one can agree on a winner. You've probably seen a jubilant tree on the sidelines and wondered why someone brought a giant car freshener pine tree to the game? The tree has become the face of the athletic program but it is technically part of the band. SMELL GOOD, PLAY GOOD?
2. Live animals as mascots are not only frowned upon by PETA but also by your wallet. The LSU (Louisiana State) Tiger - Mike the Tiger’s habitat cost $3 million to build, which was raised through private donors. That $3M doesn’t include the new COVID fence that was built to provide an additional four-foot barrier between pedestrians and the seventh Mike the Tiger. Mike’s also not into rallying the fans as the live tiger hasn’t been permitted on the field for games since 2017. WHERE’S CAROL BASKIN WHEN YOU NEED HER?
3. With horns straight out of a cartoon, Texas Longhorns’ Bevo (who is a longhorn) has become as iconic as the athletic program. Let’s hope that the 15th Bevo’s fate turns out better than one of his ancestors, who became dinner for the football team when the school couldn’t afford the upkeep. NO LOVE FOR THE LONGHORN
4. Bill the Goat, the mascot for the Naval Academy, can be traced back to the 1800s. In fact, the goat is one of the oldest mascots in sports. Billy even has its own security detail during the week of the famed Army-Navy football game to prevent it from being kidnapped by Army supporters. DIRTY JOBS
5. The first couple of college mascots, Wilma and Wilber Wildcat, are the mascots for the University of Arizona. Wilma was created when the costume designers were trying to create another costume for Wilber. Oops. They were married November 21st, 1986 before a football game. Her job is primarily women’s volleyball and women’s basketball. THINK THEY’RE PERFECTING THEIR SOURDOUGH BREAD RECIPE?
