They are the embodiment of school spirit. They rally students to support their respective schools. Faces hidden, the identities of these energetic individuals are usually unknown.
Who could these masked heroes be? None other than our beloved mascots. Some are more famous than others, through the success of the teams they support and their own hard work. However, the ones on this list have made it to fame by just their name.
1. The Fighting Okra - Delta State University
This is one threatening vegetable. Delta State University adopted the angry okra in the 80s going to the 90s after deciding their original mascot, the Statesman, was clearly not intimidating enough.
2. Speedy the Geoduck - Evergreen State University
You might think at first glance that you're looking at a pickle or green bean in a taco shell. Nope, it's a geoduck. A geoduck is a giant clam that apparently, Evergreen State University is inspired by.
3. Gaylord Camel - Campbell University
Camels aren't the first animals to come to mind when thinking of a fierce school mascot. However, give camels a little bit of credit here. Let's not forget that they do have three eyelids.
4. Zippy Kangaroo - University of Akron
Look into the eyes of this costumed kangaroo. This is the face of the University of Akron, residing in Akron, Ohio. You see kangaroos all the time in Ohio too, right?
5. The Billiken - St. Louis University
The Billiken was created after an art teacher in Kansas City, Missouri had a dream about it and it became a phenomenon. Allowing the Billiken to rise to mascot status.
6. Gladys the Fighting Squirrel - Mary Baldwin University
Try to stay serious while imagining a coach facing a locker room full of players saying. "Guys, we have a tough game coming up, we're going up against Gladys and the Squirrels this week."
7. R.B. Bbhoggawact - Austin Community College
Excuse me, could you spell that again? Whoever came up with this Riverbat's name spelling has to be a little... BATTY (sorry, the pun just had to happen).
8. Artie the Artichoke - Scottsdale Community College
The United States may be 9th in the world in artichoke production, but #1 in artichoke mascots. Who could have a bad day looking at this smiling ball of greenery?
9. The Fighting Pickle - North Carolina School of the Arts
Just having a fighting pickle wasn't enough for the North Carolina School of the Arts. A mascot is not complete without a tutu, or a goatee for that matter.
