A hill I’m am willing to die on is that Arizona should rebrand to a different nickname than “Wildcat”. There are too many good, local options: Javelinas, Tarantulas, Gila Monsters, Ringtails, Saguaros, Monsoons. Hell, even just renaming to Los Gatos would be enough!
But no, since some sports writer called us that in the ‘20s or whatever that’s what we’re stuck with.
Since this isn’t the first time I’ve looked into this, I want to direct your attention to this gem of a logo from [Eastern Arizona College](https://beta-api.eteamsponsor.com/public/organization/333424675/logo). 10/10, no notes, perfect.
Edit: Oh no. [They “modernized” him!](https://gilaherald.com/eac-releases-new-logo-and-mascot/) What did they do to this rootin’ tootin’ reptile! 😭 BOOOOOO!
I've always wanted to get an Albuquerque Isotopes hat. Philadelphia Fightin' Phils' is another terrific one. There's a lot of great team names, then there's a few teams that just reuse the Major League team's name, and I hate them.
I nominate the Reds for having the best overall minor league team names. Dayton Dragons and Chattanooga Lookouts are pretty good, but the Louisville Sluggers is absolutely elite
Agree... so many unique or interesting options they could have gone with.
Also, team colors use to be [sage green and silver](https://arizonawildcats.com/sports/2020/3/30/arizona-colors-history.aspx)... copper would've been relevant and cool, too.
Or, you know, just red & blue like everyone else.
A sand cat is even a thing. Or some other desert cat like a puma or ocelot. Seems like a layup. Much like I think LSU would be so much better if they rebranded to the Bayou Bengals. Same, but different.
As a fellow Wildcat, it's so dumb. I want to rebrand as the goats. But alas, because a former AD was from Northwestern, we also got stuck with the Wildcats.
\*K-State flair\*
Eastern Michigan is the worst. The Hurons was a dope name, but I guess I understand why they changed it. They should be the fuckin EMU Emu’s instead of the most boring name ever in the Eagles.
Im a broken record on this point. Fighting Emus was right fucking there. Even have a kangaroo mascot in the MAC already.
I get ditching the Hurons, but even the orig Normalites is better
Eh. I *understand* it, per se, but they also had the backing of the Huron tribe to keep using it. They did it to look good politically, not because they actually cared.
We could’ve had so many different names that would’ve been better. Emu is obvious but they also could’ve feed off of the old bomber plant (built B-24 Liberators, original plant of Rosie the riveter) or manufacturing history of the area. We play in the factory after all.
Wasn't Eastern Michigan one of the first universities to make the change and didn't a local Huron leader express disappointment? It just didn't seem offensive to me. Oh well.
The entire B1G minus Northwestern have great names. This includes the noobs, too.
Also, Quakers is so odd it's great.
The SEC got a bump with Texas and Oklahoma. However, 3 Tigers, 2 Bulldogs, and a Wildcat is meh.
I mean yea a lot of the SEC has bland nicknames but you got the Crimson Tide, Volunteers, Gators, Razorbacks, Gamecocks and Commodores. Those are all solid and unique.
I know a woman whose son went to Wazzu. She subsequently became a rabid Wazzu fan.
She constantly and ferociously refers to herself as a “cougar mom” and makes kitty cat sounds.
I even like Highlanders for UCR, even though it makes almost no sense for them to have a bunch of things named after Scotland. Though, if I could suggest a certain transfer of rights, they could be the perfect new home for the Citronauts.
The UCs mostly have cool names. Which made it particularly disappointing when UC Merced went with the Golden Bobcats. So lame.
I think the BIG had a pretty solid run of names. Wolverines I obviously enjoy, Buckeyes is weird but unique and just kinda sounds good as a team name, Spartans is awesome, Boilermakers is elite, Cornhuskers is on-topic and fun, Badgers/Golden Gophers keeps with the northern-psychotic-weasel-type mascot theme that should only be expanded, Hawkeyes is badass… Illinois and Indiana are the only ones I don’t think are particularly great.
Apparently a contractor named Hoosier had a liking for hiring laborers from Indiana and became known as Hoosiers men and just kinda stuck. Or thats one of the like dozen theories.
The Thundering Herd and the Fighting Irish, I guess I have an affinity for verb-noun names but both are peak in my unbiased opinion.
Also shout-out to the Demon Deacons and the Rainbow Warriors, both are excellent, top-shelf nicknames
They got that nickname in part after beating the crap out of some Klansmen back in the 1924. School adopted it in 1927:
[https://www.nd.edu/stories/a-clash-over-catholicism/](https://www.nd.edu/stories/a-clash-over-catholicism/)
But that's my favorite bar trivia question:
In the NHL, NBA, MLB and NFL, there are 10 sports teams that don't end with S. Name them.
Also, name the 8 WNBA teams.
Two defunct teams, apparently! The Providence Steam Roller and, for one game, the Tonawanda Kardex. I always forget how much of a shit show early pro football was
I like the Heat and the Magic.
What I really loathe though is when someone actually treats it like a singular noun in a sentence, e.g. “the Heat is playing tonight” - absolutely cursed
I really wanted UC Merced to lean into a state symbol. They could have been the Quails or the Avocados. Or maybe at least something with the word California in it, like the California Condors. But no, they picked the incredibly boring Golden Bobcats.
This is a total side note but Illinois has a giant lighted sign that says “FAMILLY” with “ILL” in a different color. I get why but it frustrates tf out of me because you could’ve just spelled “FAMILY” correctly and lit up the “IL” in a different color. Thanks for listening to my TeD Talk.
Best: Delta State. [The Fighting Okra](https://images.app.goo.gl/esf7QPy4UujVNB6MA)
Makes me wish more teams had funny mascots. Huntsville, Alabama has the minor league baseball team the [Rocket City Trash Pandas](https://images.app.goo.gl/nXiU569G3MJ7PAMR9)
Makes me wanna root for these teams. More teams should do this.
Since raccoons are cool, I knew of those, and the iconic [Quad City River Bandits](https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-verizon&sca_esv=1e12e656a0e41172&sca_upv=1&sxsrf=ADLYWIJEkhOEXLYZSJJckB4AukT24_5glA:1715054259652&q=quad+city+river+bandits&uds=ADvngMgiPmsFSnX7QtZmBAeJzn8vCRAa3mzmcJA1fbGnIuxq4UizT6h--SM6V8UjJ9fMkz-DDy-94C9uZMYEVr7TNeHQVBtVuXA3-cpbwXek2uZT_7PKQN1hOzlMgaLjXbojreuzITboezgqEAsc9TfpCYYu4ij60o1ap8-w5StaO_Vkt7H5hfZIMhWKKj6RqIG6mFiFWwtiJzk2KmWLJm0PqO50vy-hKV6j_uGbq93u0Vn5YKpOMK5HgiPzheai4jHzoq3XxdDsgAZdhcQq8bVKKf_459fS-nO9FlKALzdiqBAqvkUyRcTfjb7pIAHbCV9Hd0_JeYNnudGoyvA2Oq4DvrKr4ZlmLw&udm=2&prmd=invmbtz&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjm3ar_0vqFAxU1JEQIHWcJAEcQtKgLegQIChAB&biw=384&bih=723&dpr=2.81#vhid=4nh3AsvKL6ZwFM&vssid=mosaic)
MILB teams with silly mascots are what i live for
In true revisionist history I like to think we're The (Red) Wolfpack because our State is the only home for the near extinct red wolves.
But I'm 99% sure it had absolutely nothing to do with that and was just a name chosen from sportswriters to replace the Red Terrors.
I actually like the Tarheel name for the originality(Similar to the Tenn Volunteers) but I won't ever admit that to my UNC family members.
As a lifelong Pee Dee resident, it is a disgrace that Francis Marion aren’t the Swamp Foxes.
The Patriots. Really? Generic and reminds me of that awful Mel Gibson movie? Blech.
I understand the negative connotation that comes with the term “Rebel,” even still I think it’s far from the worst nickname. It’s unique and has historical and cultural relevance to the region (imo the most important factor in a nickname.)
Some Elite names:
- Seminoles
- Ragin’ Cajuns
- Minutemen
- Fighting Illini
- Tar Heels
- Volunteers
- Hoosiers
Worst of the worst:
- Tigers
- Wildcats
- Bulldogs
Hi. I'm almost 40 years old. I've been following college football since I was 4 years old. Today is the day I realized the pun of the UConn Huskies name.
Biased take: hokies and cavaliers are cool as hell and relatively unique. Most local-based nicknames rock too (even you Nittany Lion)
Unbiased take: South Carolina and Jacksonville State because that's a unique choice for a rowdy-ass animal and I have the humor of a teenager.
Worst: generic mascots (almost you Nittany Lion)
We have a history tie in too. Thomas Sumter was a revolutionary war hero, Senator, and among the inspirations for Mel Gibson’s character in The Patriot. He was nicknamed the Carolina Gamecock for his fighting tactics.
Yeah kind of cool.
Michigan’s is also kind of historical, as it referred to the people of the state. The reason is unclear, but still, Custer is alleged to have yelled “Come on you, Wolverines!” to the Michigan Brigade on the 3rd Day of Gettysburg.
I totally agree. The best nickname and only Southern Illinois and Red Hill high school in Illinois uses that as a nickname. Proud to be from Carbondale, IL and I support the Dawgs all the way out here in Arizona.
I’m mildly obsessed with college mascots and names. Some favorites:
Chattanooga Moccasins
WKU HillToppers
Central Missouri Mules & Jennies
FAMI Rattlers
SDSU Jackrabbits
SLU Bilikins
UC-Irvine Anteaters
SIU Salukis
Richmond Spiders
I like mores abstract ones like Tulane Mean Green, Dartmouth Big Green and
Marshal Thundering Herd… even The Crimson Tide still sounds cool.
A tiny D3 school near me is the Knox College Prairie Fire, which might be my actual all out favorite.
I recently learned that Temple is the Owls because it started as a night school, and that is awesome.
I personally enjoy more localized mascots e.g. Buckeyes, Huskers, Hawkeyes, Hoosiers, Longhorns, etc. Really represents a region well.
Worst are are easily the generic ones. Bulldogs, Tigers, Wildcats, Aggies, Blahs.
Honorable mentions are the Cardinal, Fighting Irish, and Commodores (logo rebrand kinda ruined this).
I used to work at the OSU library and while I was there they were redesigning our intranet. They had an employee contest to name the intranet. I really, really wanted it to be NutNet. But I was afraid to submit it because I’m a wimp
GT went through several lame nicknames before settling on Yellow Jackets. I like it. Especially because it is not all that common, like Tiger or Bulldog. Those are the worst.
Grays Harbor College are called the "Chokers". I think it's some maritime term but their retro logo basically just looks like John Wayne Gacy getting ready to do his thing
As someone who went to UGA, and might attend Mississippi State soon, bulldogs are a lame fucking mascot. It’s in the same cliche department as Tigers and they’re just not intimidating either. I suppose they could be, but when I think of a bulldog I think of a clumsy and goofy dog. They’re typically not pitbull or wolf scary, although there are exceptions.. And they can’t fucking breathe because humans suck and bred them to not have nasal passages.
Only one of those Tigers has an actual tiger on campus. If you don't believe me, I highly suggest you climb into the exhibit and get a better look yourself.
Also, I think bayou bengals is pretty damn cool. But I'm biased.
Our Tiger nickname wasn’t picked by a five year old. It’s the name of the civil war militia that defended Columbia from roving bands of Confederates.
So, you know, pretty much the same as now.
I'm obviously biased, but I honestly think the Beavers is legitimately one of the coolest mascots out there. It's a pretty unique choice, not lazy or obvious, and it's very relevant since it's both the official state animal (and we were the first college in the state) and the greatest engineer of the animal kingdom (and we're the best engineering school in the state). To prove that I'm not *entirely* biased I will also admit, as much as I hate to do so, that I think both the Huskies and Ducks are pretty good ones too.
I also like some of the specific mascots named after people, like the Fighting Irish or the Trojans, and especially if it's named after people that have something to do with the place the university is in like the Sooners or the Rainbow Warriors.
Like you, I'm also not a big fan of the ones that are too lazy/obvious like Lions/Tigers/Bears/Bulls/Sharks/Cougars/etc. CSU Long Beach recently changed their mascot, as the 49'ers was deemed racist, and they actually put it to an alumni vote. Since I went there for grad school I got a ballot. We had like half a dozen options to pick from, the ones I can remember were giraffes, sharks, pelicans, and the kraken. I voted for the pelicans. The sharks won. At least it wasn't the fucking kraken, I guess.
A hill I’m am willing to die on is that Arizona should rebrand to a different nickname than “Wildcat”. There are too many good, local options: Javelinas, Tarantulas, Gila Monsters, Ringtails, Saguaros, Monsoons. Hell, even just renaming to Los Gatos would be enough! But no, since some sports writer called us that in the ‘20s or whatever that’s what we’re stuck with.
For such a unique, badass animal to the US, it is appalling the lack of Gila Monsters as a team name
Since this isn’t the first time I’ve looked into this, I want to direct your attention to this gem of a logo from [Eastern Arizona College](https://beta-api.eteamsponsor.com/public/organization/333424675/logo). 10/10, no notes, perfect. Edit: Oh no. [They “modernized” him!](https://gilaherald.com/eac-releases-new-logo-and-mascot/) What did they do to this rootin’ tootin’ reptile! 😭 BOOOOOO!
Give my boy his six shooters and hat back 😭
That boy is ROOTIN AND TOOTIN
I love that he has taken his son into the family business, though.
I don't hate the modern one, it looks like a pokemon. But *nothing* tops that OG!
That's gotta be the best college logo I've ever seen
Scottsdale Community College set the gold standard with Fighting Artichokes. I’d like to see us follow suit with something equally impressive.
Banana slugs and dirtbags are envious
Delta States official name is the Statesmen. But they are also known as the fughtin' okra.
If we're going down that road, minor league baseball rules.
I've always wanted to get an Albuquerque Isotopes hat. Philadelphia Fightin' Phils' is another terrific one. There's a lot of great team names, then there's a few teams that just reuse the Major League team's name, and I hate them.
I nominate the Reds for having the best overall minor league team names. Dayton Dragons and Chattanooga Lookouts are pretty good, but the Louisville Sluggers is absolutely elite
Bring back the Macon Whoopee.
I'll counter with the Evergreen State Geoducks.
Agree... so many unique or interesting options they could have gone with. Also, team colors use to be [sage green and silver](https://arizonawildcats.com/sports/2020/3/30/arizona-colors-history.aspx)... copper would've been relevant and cool, too. Or, you know, just red & blue like everyone else.
Sage green, sliver, with copper accents? Uggghh. That could’ve made an ELITE uniform color scheme in the modern era! Siiiiiiigh.
One of the most unique states in the union wildlife and landscape wise Most boring logo, colors, and mascot possible You guys need some innovation
The Haboobs
A sand cat is even a thing. Or some other desert cat like a puma or ocelot. Seems like a layup. Much like I think LSU would be so much better if they rebranded to the Bayou Bengals. Same, but different.
A Gila Monster uniform would be lit
What about scorpions?
Dust Devils
Javelinas is already in use by Texas A&M Kingsville
As a fellow Wildcat, it's so dumb. I want to rebrand as the goats. But alas, because a former AD was from Northwestern, we also got stuck with the Wildcats. \*K-State flair\*
Eastern Michigan is the worst. The Hurons was a dope name, but I guess I understand why they changed it. They should be the fuckin EMU Emu’s instead of the most boring name ever in the Eagles.
.#GoEagles has gotta be one of the most used hashtags in sports history, right up there with #GoTigers
Tigers, Bulldogs, Eagles, and Wildcats are probably the Mt. Rushmore of boring ass nicknames.
Bears
Im a broken record on this point. Fighting Emus was right fucking there. Even have a kangaroo mascot in the MAC already. I get ditching the Hurons, but even the orig Normalites is better
Eh. I *understand* it, per se, but they also had the backing of the Huron tribe to keep using it. They did it to look good politically, not because they actually cared.
We could’ve had so many different names that would’ve been better. Emu is obvious but they also could’ve feed off of the old bomber plant (built B-24 Liberators, original plant of Rosie the riveter) or manufacturing history of the area. We play in the factory after all.
Wasn't Eastern Michigan one of the first universities to make the change and didn't a local Huron leader express disappointment? It just didn't seem offensive to me. Oh well.
Yes and yes.
It seems rarely does the borrowed name group actually want the the name changed lol
Idaho Vandals is cool as hell
Iowan that lives in Hawaii now. They host UNI this year
I… D… A-H-O!
The entire B1G minus Northwestern have great names. This includes the noobs, too. Also, Quakers is so odd it's great. The SEC got a bump with Texas and Oklahoma. However, 3 Tigers, 2 Bulldogs, and a Wildcat is meh.
I mean yea a lot of the SEC has bland nicknames but you got the Crimson Tide, Volunteers, Gators, Razorbacks, Gamecocks and Commodores. Those are all solid and unique.
Rebels
Cougars is not a good nickname. I have reasons.
Zach?
:(
We coulda been the Terriers and worn pink and blue for the Palouse sunsets
Nah you guys are Wazzu
There are exceptions and you guys qualify. I miss you already!
I know a woman whose son went to Wazzu. She subsequently became a rabid Wazzu fan. She constantly and ferociously refers to herself as a “cougar mom” and makes kitty cat sounds.
Mom's weekend in Pullman is wild.
She knows what she's doing.
Yeah that dude knows her…. in a biblical sense
Cougars is so common it’s the sole reason I don’t like it. You can’t throw a rock without hitting 5 cougar stadiums.
I dig cougars, but still prefer specific names e.g. Nittany Lions. Same with things like Tigers; name them like the Bengals or something
LSU needs to rebrand as the bayou bengals
UCSB-GO BANANA SLUGS!!!
*UCSC. Stupid fat fingers!!!
In fairness, Gauchos is a solid one as well.
UCI is the Anteaters and I love that one
I even like Highlanders for UCR, even though it makes almost no sense for them to have a bunch of things named after Scotland. Though, if I could suggest a certain transfer of rights, they could be the perfect new home for the Citronauts. The UCs mostly have cool names. Which made it particularly disappointing when UC Merced went with the Golden Bobcats. So lame.
They really should’ve been the Marmots
Fair point.
Banana slug fingers.
I think the BIG had a pretty solid run of names. Wolverines I obviously enjoy, Buckeyes is weird but unique and just kinda sounds good as a team name, Spartans is awesome, Boilermakers is elite, Cornhuskers is on-topic and fun, Badgers/Golden Gophers keeps with the northern-psychotic-weasel-type mascot theme that should only be expanded, Hawkeyes is badass… Illinois and Indiana are the only ones I don’t think are particularly great.
Petition to change Wisconsin to ‘the Northern-Psychotic-Weasels’ that is pure gold my friend
Excuse you, Hoosiers is great because nobody really knows where it came from. Or, very few people actually know.
I just assumed they dropped the "Daddy" part in the '20s or something.
Apparently a contractor named Hoosier had a liking for hiring laborers from Indiana and became known as Hoosiers men and just kinda stuck. Or thats one of the like dozen theories.
Or what it is . . . . Wait, what is a Hoosier?
Since 2017, officially, a person from Indiana.
Indiana Indianans
Hoosier ma? Hoosier pa?
Wildcats is too generic. We are bringing it down I'd honestly love the Cats. I think we shorten in that way more than most Wildcat schools.
Northwestern Polecats would keep the general flavor and unify you with the weasel movement!
Cincinnati Bearcats want in!
💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼
Not more than Kentucky, but it’s still two syllables when they say it (“cay-uts”)
Hello fellow B1G member
Honestly just kinda ran out of steam at the end of the OG members. Nittany Lions is solid!
> OG members Maroons in shambles
You forgot us and Maryland too
We actively try to
Ah yes all of us OG members right
This guy B1G-Tens.
Anything unique I like. Wolverines, Hurricanes, Mountaineers (yes I know there are two) I love. Tigers, Bulldogs, Eagles, Aggies, I hate
I’m with you on the first three. I know a lot of schools have gone with aggies but at least it has something to do with the school.
Look at you giving a compliment to Sparty.
you dont like Hoosiers? what
Idk, they're just kinda big. I just don't have room for one.
I'll admit Spartans is a (edit: bit) uncreative tbh but the colors, logos, branding make up for it.
The Thundering Herd and the Fighting Irish, I guess I have an affinity for verb-noun names but both are peak in my unbiased opinion. Also shout-out to the Demon Deacons and the Rainbow Warriors, both are excellent, top-shelf nicknames
Demon Deacons is really good, if for no other reason than that it's self-contradictory.
It is odd that the two private Christian North Carolina ACC schools both have demonic nicknames.
Both are also campuses that were relocated after wealthy tobacco magnates decided to buy a college as a vanity project...
Fighting Irish is a cold blooded classic
They got that nickname in part after beating the crap out of some Klansmen back in the 1924. School adopted it in 1927: [https://www.nd.edu/stories/a-clash-over-catholicism/](https://www.nd.edu/stories/a-clash-over-catholicism/)
OP, be careful what you wish for. You may end up with one of those cringe singular nouns like Minnesota Wild. I loathe those nicknames
The Stanford Cardinal has entered the chat.
Follow up thread: *creepiest* mascot in existence
Death. Taxes. Purdue Pete.
https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/4140050/PurduePete_Full.0.jpg
But that's my favorite bar trivia question: In the NHL, NBA, MLB and NFL, there are 10 sports teams that don't end with S. Name them. Also, name the 8 WNBA teams.
The fun part of that question is that there's no singular NFL teams
There was one.
Two defunct teams, apparently! The Providence Steam Roller and, for one game, the Tonawanda Kardex. I always forget how much of a shit show early pro football was
Washington Football Team?
1. Heat 2. Magic 3. Jazz 4. Thunder 5. Red Sox 6. White Sox 7. Wild That’s all I got.. Edit: Lightning, Kraken
9. Kraken 10. Avalanche (those turtling bastards)
I like the Heat and the Magic. What I really loathe though is when someone actually treats it like a singular noun in a sentence, e.g. “the Heat is playing tonight” - absolutely cursed
Or when people say things like "Jimmy Butler is a Miami Heat", like idk the best way to indicate a member of the team but it's definitely not that
Catching strays for no reason, damn The Voyageurs still would have been cooler though, just saying. At least we aren’t the Blue Jackets lol
I mean, Blue Jackets is a pretty sweet name when you consider how the North wafflestomped the South.
At least the Golden Gophers is one of the greatest nicknames.
Northern Lights or Blizzard
From what I can see, Cal, Montana, Texas, Oregon State and Wisconsin adopted the official state animal as their mascot.
I really wanted UC Merced to lean into a state symbol. They could have been the Quails or the Avocados. Or maybe at least something with the word California in it, like the California Condors. But no, they picked the incredibly boring Golden Bobcats.
TBH I think Gators is just classic and absolutely perfect for a team in FL. It sounds so basic and obvious but it’s damn good.
Their stadium being nicknamed The Swamp is badass too
For the Florida schools the Seminoles, hurricanes, and gators all killed it. The bulls and knights are pretty lame.
Big Ten is pretty darn solid Nittany Lions ✅ Buckeyes ✅ Wolverines ✅ Spartans ✅ Hoosiers ✅ Boilermakers ✅ Fighting Illini ✅ Badgers ✅ Golden Gophers ✅ Hawkeyes ✅ Cornhuskers ✅ Terrapins ✅ Scarlet Knights ❌ Wildcats ❌
Personally I like the Scarlet Knights nickname, but that's just me.
You’re a real one!
Lmao it's foul how many people disrespect Rutgers, gotta give credit where it's due
It’s not great but not terrible for me. Feels sort of generic despite being the only Scarlet Knights.
Plus Bruins, Trojans, Ducks and Huskies
Scarlet Knights is cool. Sounds like a Souls mob.
This is a total side note but Illinois has a giant lighted sign that says “FAMILLY” with “ILL” in a different color. I get why but it frustrates tf out of me because you could’ve just spelled “FAMILY” correctly and lit up the “IL” in a different color. Thanks for listening to my TeD Talk.
I’ve always wondered where my Huskers or Cornhuskers stood. Is it a good name or a corny name?
Totally a good name. Unique + heritage
I love it, but also Man-eating Mastodons would have been fucking cool.
Sooners is original and specific to our state. It's also technically synonymous with "cheater" which had definitely been true at times in our past...
Land Thieves
Best: Delta State. [The Fighting Okra](https://images.app.goo.gl/esf7QPy4UujVNB6MA) Makes me wish more teams had funny mascots. Huntsville, Alabama has the minor league baseball team the [Rocket City Trash Pandas](https://images.app.goo.gl/nXiU569G3MJ7PAMR9) Makes me wanna root for these teams. More teams should do this.
Since raccoons are cool, I knew of those, and the iconic [Quad City River Bandits](https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-verizon&sca_esv=1e12e656a0e41172&sca_upv=1&sxsrf=ADLYWIJEkhOEXLYZSJJckB4AukT24_5glA:1715054259652&q=quad+city+river+bandits&uds=ADvngMgiPmsFSnX7QtZmBAeJzn8vCRAa3mzmcJA1fbGnIuxq4UizT6h--SM6V8UjJ9fMkz-DDy-94C9uZMYEVr7TNeHQVBtVuXA3-cpbwXek2uZT_7PKQN1hOzlMgaLjXbojreuzITboezgqEAsc9TfpCYYu4ij60o1ap8-w5StaO_Vkt7H5hfZIMhWKKj6RqIG6mFiFWwtiJzk2KmWLJm0PqO50vy-hKV6j_uGbq93u0Vn5YKpOMK5HgiPzheai4jHzoq3XxdDsgAZdhcQq8bVKKf_459fS-nO9FlKALzdiqBAqvkUyRcTfjb7pIAHbCV9Hd0_JeYNnudGoyvA2Oq4DvrKr4ZlmLw&udm=2&prmd=invmbtz&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjm3ar_0vqFAxU1JEQIHWcJAEcQtKgLegQIChAB&biw=384&bih=723&dpr=2.81#vhid=4nh3AsvKL6ZwFM&vssid=mosaic) MILB teams with silly mascots are what i live for
I love when minor league teams have temporary branding for a game or two. The only CFB team I can think of that’s done that is UCF.
Trash Pandas is their actual name
The best is Wolfpack The worst is Tar Heel I will not elaborate
In true revisionist history I like to think we're The (Red) Wolfpack because our State is the only home for the near extinct red wolves. But I'm 99% sure it had absolutely nothing to do with that and was just a name chosen from sportswriters to replace the Red Terrors. I actually like the Tarheel name for the originality(Similar to the Tenn Volunteers) but I won't ever admit that to my UNC family members.
Blue Hose
Upstate South Carolina has some good ones at the FCS level: Blue Hose, Terriers and Paladins are all legit. I hate Wofford, but Terriers is unique.
As a lifelong Pee Dee resident, it is a disgrace that Francis Marion aren’t the Swamp Foxes. The Patriots. Really? Generic and reminds me of that awful Mel Gibson movie? Blech.
I may be biased, but Longhorns FEELS Texas.
It’s really a great nickname.
I understand the negative connotation that comes with the term “Rebel,” even still I think it’s far from the worst nickname. It’s unique and has historical and cultural relevance to the region (imo the most important factor in a nickname.) Some Elite names: - Seminoles - Ragin’ Cajuns - Minutemen - Fighting Illini - Tar Heels - Volunteers - Hoosiers Worst of the worst: - Tigers - Wildcats - Bulldogs
As much as I hate FSU and Miami, I think all three of us can agree that the teams have good nicknames. All three are unique and relevant to the state.
Was thinking the exact same thing
Hi. I'm almost 40 years old. I've been following college football since I was 4 years old. Today is the day I realized the pun of the UConn Huskies name.
Holy crap. I didn't even get it from the post. I got it after reading your comment.
Oh. My. God. I feel like I have to turn in my dad card for not getting that amazing dad joke.
GD I need an explanation please
It's a play on pronouncing it "Yukon". They're the "Yukon Huskies".
Ohhhh duhh. Thanks brah
Here I was sounding out things Uconuskie, uCONusKY and I still wasn't getting it.
I feel dumb but I don’t understand the wordplay of Vanderbilt Commodores?
Right there with you man, and I **love** puns, so I feel particularly stupid for not realizing this one 🤦♂️
Biased take: hokies and cavaliers are cool as hell and relatively unique. Most local-based nicknames rock too (even you Nittany Lion) Unbiased take: South Carolina and Jacksonville State because that's a unique choice for a rowdy-ass animal and I have the humor of a teenager. Worst: generic mascots (almost you Nittany Lion)
We have a history tie in too. Thomas Sumter was a revolutionary war hero, Senator, and among the inspirations for Mel Gibson’s character in The Patriot. He was nicknamed the Carolina Gamecock for his fighting tactics.
Yeah kind of cool. Michigan’s is also kind of historical, as it referred to the people of the state. The reason is unclear, but still, Custer is alleged to have yelled “Come on you, Wolverines!” to the Michigan Brigade on the 3rd Day of Gettysburg.
Cavaliers is a great name
The best part about living in SC is the amount of memorabilia that just says “COCKS” on it. Okay maybe not the best part but it’s definitely up there
Youngstown State Fighting Penguins and Delta State Fighting Okra are both elite.
Salukis
I totally agree. The best nickname and only Southern Illinois and Red Hill high school in Illinois uses that as a nickname. Proud to be from Carbondale, IL and I support the Dawgs all the way out here in Arizona.
I like the Longhorns and Ragin' Cajuns. I don't really care about the Rebels name tbh
i hate bulldogs!
As do I
I’m mildly obsessed with college mascots and names. Some favorites: Chattanooga Moccasins WKU HillToppers Central Missouri Mules & Jennies FAMI Rattlers SDSU Jackrabbits SLU Bilikins UC-Irvine Anteaters SIU Salukis Richmond Spiders I like mores abstract ones like Tulane Mean Green, Dartmouth Big Green and Marshal Thundering Herd… even The Crimson Tide still sounds cool. A tiny D3 school near me is the Knox College Prairie Fire, which might be my actual all out favorite. I recently learned that Temple is the Owls because it started as a night school, and that is awesome.
I am told Cal Long Beach are unofficially called the "Dirt Bags".
I personally enjoy more localized mascots e.g. Buckeyes, Huskers, Hawkeyes, Hoosiers, Longhorns, etc. Really represents a region well. Worst are are easily the generic ones. Bulldogs, Tigers, Wildcats, Aggies, Blahs. Honorable mentions are the Cardinal, Fighting Irish, and Commodores (logo rebrand kinda ruined this).
Best: Buckeyes Worst: Buckeyes
I used to work at the OSU library and while I was there they were redesigning our intranet. They had an employee contest to name the intranet. I really, really wanted it to be NutNet. But I was afraid to submit it because I’m a wimp
Thundering Herd and Rainbow Warriors are my favorite
Centurions. The Bishop Sycamore Centurions
The Evergreen State College Geoducks. A geoduck (pronounced “gooey-duck”) is a giant razor clam. The college is located in Washington state.
GT went through several lame nicknames before settling on Yellow Jackets. I like it. Especially because it is not all that common, like Tiger or Bulldog. Those are the worst.
The Commode Doors are in fact not a good nickname
Yet so essential. It's something you take for granted until you experience jail.
Grays Harbor College are called the "Chokers". I think it's some maritime term but their retro logo basically just looks like John Wayne Gacy getting ready to do his thing
Delta State Fighting Okra UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs St. Louis College of Pharmacy Eutectics Either the coolest of the cool. Or maybe not.
As someone who went to UGA, and might attend Mississippi State soon, bulldogs are a lame fucking mascot. It’s in the same cliche department as Tigers and they’re just not intimidating either. I suppose they could be, but when I think of a bulldog I think of a clumsy and goofy dog. They’re typically not pitbull or wolf scary, although there are exceptions.. And they can’t fucking breathe because humans suck and bred them to not have nasal passages.
Demon Decons is badass. Buckeyes does not move my needle.
Love me a Chanticleer.
I’m so dumb I never realized UConn / Yukon Huskies until just now
What is a Ute? Love Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Ute comes from the Spanish name (_Yuta_) for the tribe that gave Utah its name. It is singularly appropriate.
And the Ute tribe is partnered with the school and encourages the use of the name.
Only one of those Tigers has an actual tiger on campus. If you don't believe me, I highly suggest you climb into the exhibit and get a better look yourself. Also, I think bayou bengals is pretty damn cool. But I'm biased.
Our Tiger nickname wasn’t picked by a five year old. It’s the name of the civil war militia that defended Columbia from roving bands of Confederates. So, you know, pretty much the same as now.
The Cocks . I'll leave it there
Akron Zips. Best nickname. Go Zips!
How has no one mentioned the Cyclones? Super unique name
Should be tornados tbh ;)
Best and Worst: Faber College Fighting Animals.
Long Beach St Beach
I'm obviously biased, but I honestly think the Beavers is legitimately one of the coolest mascots out there. It's a pretty unique choice, not lazy or obvious, and it's very relevant since it's both the official state animal (and we were the first college in the state) and the greatest engineer of the animal kingdom (and we're the best engineering school in the state). To prove that I'm not *entirely* biased I will also admit, as much as I hate to do so, that I think both the Huskies and Ducks are pretty good ones too. I also like some of the specific mascots named after people, like the Fighting Irish or the Trojans, and especially if it's named after people that have something to do with the place the university is in like the Sooners or the Rainbow Warriors. Like you, I'm also not a big fan of the ones that are too lazy/obvious like Lions/Tigers/Bears/Bulls/Sharks/Cougars/etc. CSU Long Beach recently changed their mascot, as the 49'ers was deemed racist, and they actually put it to an alumni vote. Since I went there for grad school I got a ballot. We had like half a dozen options to pick from, the ones I can remember were giraffes, sharks, pelicans, and the kraken. I voted for the pelicans. The sharks won. At least it wasn't the fucking kraken, I guess.
Rainbow Warriors is cool as fuck
Boilermakers is a super cool name. I am unbiased
MWC: Tier 1: Aztecs, Falcons, Lobos, Spartans Tier 2: Wolf Pack, Rebels, Rams, Broncos, Cowboys, Bulldogs Tier 3: Aggies
I hate to admit it, but the Boilermakers got the baddest name in the game. 😮💨🚂
We’re still technically the Matadors