NCAA Division 1 sports attract attention from all over the country for autumn football games, March Madness, and everything in between. Bears, knights, and eagles are found in multiple schools and have earned championships and titles for themselves; however, some team names probably make the opponent laugh rather than quake with fear. Here are 10 of the least fearful team names in the country that will make you do a double take.
10. Setson University Hatters ,
What is a better way to intimidate a rival than ‘hatting’ them to death?
9. Youngstown State University Penguins
When you hear the team name Penguins, you expect the school to be up north in Minnesota or North Dakota but Youngstown State is located in Youngstown, Ohio and the team name has stuck since 1933. So for those of you in the Horizon League, you better watch out for these penguins sliding around on the court.
8. Kent State Golden Flashes
The eight-year-old inside of me giggles every time I hear this name. It seems to toe the line in between wildly inappropriate and sort of goofy. But what’s even more bizarre is this school’s mascot is an eagle; I guess the Kent State Golden Eagles was just a little too unoriginal for this school.
7. St. Bonaventure University Bonnies
At first glance, the Bonnies’ bring about the image of a middle-aged woman attempting to text her daughter on a blackberry. Even though their mascot is a wolf, I don’t think a “Bonnie” intimidates many people.
6. University of Minnesota Golden Gophers
Gophers are those pesky animals that your parents complain about keeping out of their manicured yard. Although this school boasts itself in spirit for the beloved “Goldy Gopher,” it still doesn’t make the other Big Ten teams scared. Sorry Minnesota, a mascot who is known to borrow underground is not intimidating.
5. University of Nebraska Corn Huskers
This name always makes me laugh because I picture a small boy with freckles on a porch wearing flannel. What’s the worst thing that they can do? Husk all the corn for dinner? Also, the mascot may creep some little kids out.
4. Indiana State University Sycamores
This is one of those team names that makes sense but still seems like a joke pulled by students. Indiana State’s campus has plenty of sycamore trees, which explains the history behind the name; however, I do not think this school realized that no one really fears a tree.
3. University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hens
Fans just hope this team doesn’t lay an egg on the scoreboard.
2. Campbell University Fighting Camels
According to the San Diego Zoo Global Library, “Wild camels extremely shy. Acute eyesight allows them to spot danger 2-3 miles away and flee.” Not a very daunting animal to represent a team.
1. Syracuse University Orange
Who’s afraid of a mascot that they can peel?
