Top 10: Unusual Team Mascots 5.0 – College Edition

#10 Southern Illinois University Salukis – Originally, SIU teams were the Maroons. In the 1940s, students wanted a less boring mascot. Finally, in 1951 the students voted to change the name to the Salukis. Originating in Egypt, Saluki is one of the oldest breeds of dogs, dating back to 3600 BC.

#9 Furman University Paladins – In the 1930 a Greenville sports writer referred to Furman’s basketball. Prior to 1961 Furman actually had 3 different mascots:

• Baseball – Hornets
• Basketball – Paladins
• Football – Hurricane

In 1961, the students voted to change all teams to the Paladins.

#8 Erskine College Flying Fleet – The team was originally called the Seceders. In 1929, football coach Jake Todd used a wide open passing attack that allowed then to lead their conference in scoring. In there game against Furman sportswriter Carter Latimer was so impressed with passing attack he nicknamed them “The Flying Fleet.” The student body voted to change the name to the Flying Fleet.

#7 Trinity Christian College Trolls – According to local legend a troll guarded the golf course were Trinity College now sits. The troll has been an integral part of the school since it founding. They refer to themselves as Troll Nation.

#6 Presbyterian College Blue Hose – The term blue stockings was first used by a sportswriter in the early 1900s in reference to the blue stockings the team wore. It was later shortened to hose. The teams mascot is also in reference to the schools Scottish heritage.

#4 University of North Carolina School of the Arts Fighting Pickles – In the fall of 1972 , the school held a contest to name the football team. Fighting pickles was the winner, it might have been the only name submitted.

#3 Concordia Moorhead Cobbers- In the early days of Concordia (1890s), students from a nearby college called Concordia students corncobs. It was meant to be a dig at Concordia’s rural location. It stuck as the mascot for the sports teams. In the late 1920s it was changed to Cobbers.

#2 University of Akron Zipps – Officially, the University of Akron are the Kangaroo. Zippy, is their mascot’s name. The name was inspired by the zippers on B.F. Goodrich’s rubber boots. B.F. Goodrich is an Akron based company. In the 1950’s the name was shortened to Zipps.

#1 University of Oklahoma Sooners – Sooners is a reference to the settlers who illegally entered what was Indian Territory early during the 1889 land rush. The Sooner Schooner is a replica of the Conestoga wagons that were popular with settlers.