What's in a mascot?

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?

Comments

[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.

[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.

The Poca High School (WV).

Poca Dots

[HMack]

Georgetown Jr/Sr. High School : The G-Men (or G-Ladies)!

[Steve]

How about the Yuma High Criminals, so named because the school at one time was held in the Yuma Territorial Prison

[Steve]

How about the Yuma High Criminals, so named because the school at one time was held in the Yuma Territorial Prison

[Rachel]

those criminals are pretty unique!!!