The Mascot Name Game

My old college, Arkansas State University in Jonesboro, AR, was one of many schools with Indians as the name of their mascot. So when the NCAA started recommending a change about 3 years ago, as to not offend Native Americans (although Fighting Irish is apparently OK), hundreds of names were tossed around. I think that last I heard they're pretty much down to Ridge Runners, Ridge Riders, Red Wolves, Express or A-Train... none too bad in my opinion.

It may seem like no big deal, but a goofy name I think can be a curse or just become a joke. I think students and fans should have a name they're proud of, which of course sells more merchandise and that equals money. The team in the other northern corner of the state has a unique name that's a big, mean-looking animal... the Razorbacks. Tough to match that. It's a big, mean, pissed-off pig.

Anyway, I've been looking around for some that I think suck or are just sort of weak. No offense to these schools or anything, it's not your faults. Somebody probably came up with these a long time ago. Some are sort of sissy, some are just odd, some are funny.

• University of Arkansas @ Monticello Cotton Blossoms
• Evergreen State Geoducks (wtf is this?)
  
• UCSC Banana Slugs
• Wayland Baptist University Flying Queens
• University of Central Arkansas Sugar Bears
• Whitter College Poets
• Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (Warriors = good... rainbow = not so much)
  
• UCI Anteaters
• Southern Arkansas Mule Riders
• Amherst Lord Jeffs
• Manhattan College Jaspers
• NYU Violets
• Scottsdale Community College Fighting Artichokes
• Rhode Island School of Design Nads (heh heh Go Nads!)
  
• Wichita State University Shockers (at least they have a hand sign)
  
• Coastal Carolina University Chanticleers
• University of Portland Pilots
• University of Pennsylvania Quakers
• New England College Pilgrims
• Mary Baldwin College Squirrels
• Maryland Terrapins
• Grays Harbor College (Wash.) Chokers

I'll throw my hat in on a few that I think would make good nicknames. Any schools may feel free to use these.

• Mule Rapers
• Fighting Brocoli
• Gassy Turtles
• Fighting Turtle Doves
• Rambos
• Terror Cell
• Potheads
• Pot Bellied Pigs

Here's some of my favorite college mascots (not my favorite teams mind you, I hate some of these schools):

• Michigan Wolverines (could anything be cooler than this?)
• Texas Longhorns
• Marshall Thundering Herd
• Florida Gators

More stuff I learned...

The 12 most used names of four-year college mascots: Eagles (74), Tigers (46), Bulldogs (39), Panthers (33), Knights (32), Lions (31), Bears (30), Hawks (28), Cougars (27), Pioneers (27), Warriors (27) and Wildcats (25).

College mascots that were sent from heaven: Angels, Beacons, Crusaders, Deacons, Flames, Friars, Heralds, Maccabees, Missionaries, Parsons, Preachers, Prophets and Saints

College mascots that opt for the dark side: Demon Deacons, Devils, Dragons, Pirates, Raiders, Rebels, Savages, Vandals, Vikings, Wolf Pack, Wolfpack and Wolves

Choose carefully ASU...