College Nicknames, Mascots, and Logos - USM Forum -- Message Board

Date: Aug 10, 2005

College Nicknames, Mascots, and Logos

Date: Aug 10, 2005

NickNom wrote:

Of greater importance to the USM community: will the NCAA's next move be that of declaring the use of a federally protected species (e.g., the Golden Eagle) to be "hostile or abusive?" The floor is open.

Well, since USM officials allowed a federally protected species (e.g., Nugget, the golden eagle mascot) to starve to death on campus, I think it is safe to say the university has been nostile and abusive.

Also problematic is USM's location of distance education courses at Oak Grove High School, aka Hardy High West. The school's mascot is a Native American Warrior.

Date: Aug 10, 2005

Lincicome: In ruling on 'abusive' college mascots, NCAA really ...

Date: Aug 10, 2005

Googler wrote:

Well, since USM officials allowed a federally protected species (e.g., Nugget, the golden eagle mascot) to starve to death on campus, I think it is safe to say the university has been nostile and abusive. Also problematic is USM's location of distance education courses at Oak Grove High School, aka Hardy High West. The school's mascot is a Native American Warrior.

make that "hostile."

Date: Aug 11, 2005

I'm glad the NCAA is taking such strong steps to solve its biggest problems. It's about time somebody got serious about stopping such despicable acts. In fact, I think that the NCAA should be appointed to clean up all "hostile and abusive" references to Native Americans throughout our culture.

While such offensive references have been dealt with in college sports, there is still much work to be done. What's really offensive is the way professional sports teams contribute to the perception of Native Americans. The Atlanta Braves, for instance, have painted a picture that Native Americans can't win the big one (so long, Chief Nock-a-homa) by "choking" in almost every NLCS or World Series since 1990. The Washington Redskins haven't won anything since Doug Williams led them to victory in Super Bowl XXV. Banning the Redskins would also have another consequence. It would get rid of their fight song, "Hail to the Redskins," which is offensive to almost anyone who has ever been forced to listen to it. The Cleveland Indians have been below .500 for most of my adult life, and they even had those "Major League" movies made about their bungling baseball antics.

However, I agree with the original poster's assertion that other types of mascots are now in danger. The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame could be in trouble. It's OK to paint a picture of the Irish as potato-eating drunks, but just don't call them good athletes. Likewise, the generic Aggies are serious students of all things farming, not athletes. Referring to athletic teams as Aggies demeans and degrades those hard-working guys and gals who study soybeans, cattle, and related fields.

Anyone who has seen the NFL's Houston Texans play football knows that no true Texan could be proud of that display of football ignorance. Having your state affiliation tied to an expansion team is simply...abusive. The Navy Midshipmen, the New Orleans Saints (yes, they are dead people), the Virginia Cavaliers, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Hilltoppers of West Virginia all represent abusive and offensive manner just because of the nature of these teams' play, year in and year out.

Myles Brand has done the right thing. Instead of messing around with small stuff, like reforming the NCAA's recruiting system, creating a football playoff, increasing gender equity, or working to achieve recognition for small sports, he has chosen to take on the really big fight...the fight against abusive mascots. Now it's time for him to take his fight to a higher level. George W. Bush should name him Secretary of Political Correctness in the Department of Homeland Goodfeelings. Brand would then have the power to censor all abusive mascots, not just Native American mascots.

Maybe when all mascots are finally cleaned up we'll be able to get along like good boys and girls. Uncle Myles knows best.

Date: Aug 11, 2005

I'm concerned about mascots like those at my (masters) alma mater, Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers' "Big Red" could be seen as a threat to - - oh, Crayolas maybe?

Date: Aug 11, 2005

Beelzebubba, what do you think of the Duke Blue Devils or the Wake Forest Demon Deacons? Are those mascot names hostile and abusive to people like you?

Date: Aug 11, 2005

College athletics ought to be about silliness, but not this NCAA kind of nonsense.

Personally, I like silly mascot names. UC Santa Cruz achieved a lot of notoriety by being the Banana Slugs & the story behind the name is pretty cool & isn't nonsense at all. And what the heck is a Hoya or a Hokie? And let's not forget that many years ago, students at Delta State lobbied to change their team name to the "Fighting Algae."

No. Mascots have to be fierce & noble. They don't reflect college students at all. Those who are in my "age group" may remember the infamous USM intramural teams, "The Goldies" -- one guess which Mexican City the team claimed as its home -- and the ever-popular "N.A.D.S." (which had some incredibly complicated "name" IIRC that existed only so they could use the cheer, "Gimme a G! Gimme an O! Gimme an N! etc., leading to the obvious "What's it speall? GO NADS!")

When the student body voted to be "Golden Eagles," I voted for "Golden Armadillos," which should tell you which side of the sideline I was on. I kinda envisioned one of those 200 lb South American 'dillers as the actual mascot... And think about it. How utterly humiliating would it have been for State, Ole Miss, Bama, Auburn, FSU or Nebraska to lose a game to the "Armadillos?"

Date: Aug 11, 2005

LVN wrote:

I'm concerned about mascots like those at my (masters) alma mater, Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers' "Big Red" could be seen as a threat to - - oh, Crayolas maybe?

WARNING--THE FOLLOWING CRUDE BUT TRUE ANECDOTE INTENDED FOR ADULTS ONLY

Speaking of silliness, when I was an undergrad at Vanderbilt in the late 60's, one of the fraternities got into big trouble with the administration prior to our homecoming game with Alabama. For the homecoming parade, they constructed a huge float which was a replica of a feminine hygiene product, sporting banners on the sides imploring the home team to "Stop the Crimson Tide."

Date: Aug 11, 2005

Does anyone else think the USM Eagle looks constipated? I'm sick of looking at that constipated bird.

Date: Aug 11, 2005

Let's also add Sooners to the list that is being bandied about. The Sooners were those who crossed into Oklahoma and claimed land prior to the official Land Run. Thus, they are outlaws who committed a crime.

Date: Aug 11, 2005

Invictus wrote:

And what the heck is . . . a Hokie?

A very good question, Invictus, and one we're frequently asked here in Blacksburg, Virginia. The name "Hokie" was adopted back in 1896 when VPI sponsored a contest in search of a new cheer. An undergraduate senior by the name of O.M. Stull won first prize for his "Hokie" yell. When asked what it meant, he said that he submitted the name only because it sounds good and is an attention getter. It soon became the nickname for all Virginia Tech athletic teams. My favorite unofficial definition of a "Hokie," however, is one I heard from a former colleague and avid Virginia Tech supporter and fan: "A Hokie is a flat-footed a**-kickin' turkey."

Date: Aug 11, 2005

Invictus wrote:

College athletics ought to be about silliness, but not this NCAA kind of nonsense.

Personally, I like silly mascot names. UC Santa Cruz achieved a lot of notoriety by being the Banana Slugs & the story behind the name is pretty cool & isn't nonsense at all. And what the heck is a Hoya or a Hokie? And let's not forget that many years ago, students at Delta State lobbied to change their team name to the "Fighting Algae."

No. Mascots have to be fierce & noble. They don't reflect college students at all. Those who are in my "age group" may remember the infamous USM intramural teams, "The Goldies" -- one guess which Mexican City the team claimed as its home -- and the ever-popular "N.A.D.S." (which had some incredibly complicated "name" IIRC that existed only so they could use the cheer, "Gimme a G! Gimme an O! Gimme an N! etc., leading to the obvious "What's it speall? GO NADS!")

When the student body voted to be "Golden Eagles," I voted for "Golden Armadillos," which should tell you which side of the sideline I was on. I kinda envisioned one of those 200 lb South American 'dillers as the actual mascot... And think about it. How utterly humiliating would it have been for State, Ole Miss, Bama, Auburn, FSU or Nebraska to lose a game to the "Armadillos?"

its been a long time, but when USM changed its mascot from "southerners" wasnt there a voting scandal (student's voted for new mascot) .... strong feeling that "piney woods stumpers" was the true winner but the election was fixed in favor of "golden eagles"

Vic, apparently you were on campus..do you recall details?

Date: Aug 11, 2005

3 point land wrote:

Vic, apparently you were on campus..do you recall details?

Anybody who was at USM in those days & who can remember anything about it, wasn't at USM in those days. (Apologies to Robin Williams, or whoever said that about the '60s.)

I don't remember "Piney Woods Stumpers." I do remember the Golden Aardvaarks, the Golden Armadillos (my vote) & the Lumberjacks being popular nominations. And I do recall folks thinking that Golden Eagles was so plain vanilla that the administration had to have intervened. At the time, I figured it was all rigged anyway & that the athletic department had already selected the mascot before the election.

But I don't know if there was any real proof that the election was rigged. Anyway, very few students cared back then. I think I attended exactly two footbball games between 1971 & 1979. Maybe one basketball game. Of course, the football stadium was completely closed for renovations for one whole year in there...

Personally, I think "Piney Woods Rooters" (feral hogs) would be an excellent mascot.

Date: Aug 11, 2005

I forget who has the name, but my all time favorite is the Fighting Okra.

Date: Aug 11, 2005

Joker wrote:

I forget who has the name, but my all time favorite is the Fighting Okra.

The Fighting Okra? That would be Delta State University. No kidding. How could anybody forget? With a name like that, they've got to be good. I guess the IHL got to them before they took us on.

Date: Aug 11, 2005

Sweet Briar College's NCAA Division III athletic teams are called (hold your breath now.....you won't believe it) .....The VIXENS. Wow! Makes me wonder how the politically correct arm of the NCAA could have missed that one.

Date: Aug 11, 2005

Syracuse University should be required to change its athletic name from the Orangemen to the Orangepersons.

Date: Aug 11, 2005

Texas Christian University's mascot is a horned frog. Kiss my mascot, NCAA.

Date: Aug 12, 2005

TCU fan wrote:

Texas Christian University's mascot is a horned frog. Kiss my mascot, NCAA.

Although the events reportedly transpired near "Tishomingo," I've wondered if Pete Hogwallop was a TCU alumnus.

As Delmar screamed, "Them sirens did it to Pete! They loved him up & turned him into a horny toad!"

Date: Aug 12, 2005

It amazes me that they can find Seminoles offensive, but nobody has mentioned the Rebels. I'm sure there are one or two Mississippians who find that a wee bit offensive.

Date: Aug 12, 2005

Advocate wrote:

It amazes me that they can find Seminoles offensive, but nobody has mentioned the Rebels. I'm sure there are one or two Mississippians who find that a wee bit offensive.

The Ole Miss Rebels could change their mascot to the Wharf Rats or the Skunk Monkeys and I'd find them offensive

Date: Aug 12, 2005

Big Bad John wrote:
The Ole Miss Rebels could change their mascot to the Wharf Rats <SNIP>

If they named their team after a Grateful Dead song, I'd be all for it.

Date: Aug 12, 2005

Nobody has mentioned my favorite mascot, the University of South Carolina Gamecocks!

Date: Aug 12, 2005

Advocate wrote:

Nobody has mentioned my favorite mascot, the University of South Carolina Gamecocks!

I'm sure the NCAA won't let that mascot name stand.

Date: Aug 12, 2005

Is it just me, or does anybody else think Shelby sorta looks like an armadillo?

Date: Aug 12, 2005

And, as an armadillo he'd need to go home with the rest of them back to Amarillo or Abilene. Courtesy of Jerry Jeff Walker!

Date: Aug 12, 2005

Emma wrote:

And, as an armadillo he'd need to go home with the rest of them back to Amarillo or Abilene. Courtesy of Jerry Jeff Walker!

Uhh, Emma, I believe it was Gary P. Nunn who penned the lyrics to which you refer ("I want to go home with the Armadillo, good country music from Amarillo and Abilene...."), which is a reference to the great but long defunct Armadillo World Headquarters. The refrain is from his "London Homesick Blues." It's the familiar theme song for Austin City Limits. Jerry Jeff did later cover the song, as did our next governor, the Kinkster. On an unrelated note, you've been silent too long, and we've missed your acerbic wit and irreverent posts. Welcome back from wherever you've been.

AE

Date: Aug 13, 2005

It didn't hurt that Gary P. Nunn was a member of Jerry Jeff's Lost Gonzo Band.

[Anybody who thinks Shelby looks like an armadillo is obviously bashing innocent Dasypodids.]

Date: Aug 13, 2005

well, I said "sorta" -- I mean, he's low to the ground, roundish and thick-skinned.