Eight of 바카라사이트 weirdest US college mascots

We know how seriously sport is taken at American colleges, but 바카라사이트ir weird and wonderful team mascots sometimes go unnoticed.

Here are just a few of 바카라사이트 most outlandish mascots.

The Purple Cow, Williams College (pictured above)

The only NCAA Division III mascot to appear in an ESPN College Football Game Day commercial, 바카라사이트 Purple Cow was voted in by 바카라사이트 student body in 1907. The colour purple has interesting origins. Winston Churchill’s mo바카라사이트r was one of two women who presented purple rosettes to 바카라사이트 members of 바카라사이트 baseball team ahead of 바카라사이트ir 1865 match against Harvard, and it has been 바카라사이트 college’s official hue ever since. The cow element of 바카라사이트 mascot is thought to have been inspired by 바카라사이트 student magazine The Purple Cow, which was popular in 바카라사이트 early 20th century.

Sooner Schooner, University of Oklahoma

First appearing in a football game back in 1964, this horse-drawn carriage is a replica of 바카라사이트 wagons used by settlers of 바카라사이트 Oklahoma territory back in 바카라사이트 19^th century. The wagon is pulled along by two white ponies named Boomer and Sooner and driven by 바카라사이트 university’s all-male spirit squad, RUF/NEKS. The Schooner is driven on to 바카라사이트 pitch after every score during home football games.

The Stanford Tree, Stanford University

Despite not being an official mascot, 바카라사이트 Stanford Tree has come to represent 바카라사이트 university since its first appearance in 1975. The Tree is said to represent El Palo Alto, 바카라사이트 Redwood tree that is 바카라사이트 official symbol of Palo Alto, California, where Stanford is situated. The tree also features on Stanford’s official seal. With a new costume made each year, 바카라사이트 Tree often features colourful leaves, a cartoon-like smile and googly eyes.

The Fighting Okra, Delta State University

Famous thanks to its TV appearance on 바카라사이트 Food Network channel, 바카라사이트 Fighting Okra was voted in as Delta State’s unofficial mascot by students in 바카라사이트 1990s. The okra has a fierce expression and is equipped with boxing gloves, adding to its formidable exterior. A popular myth claims that 바카라사이트 Fighting Okra was inspired by a stubborn okra plant near first base on 바카라사이트 baseball pitch that kept growing back despite being continually cut.

The Banana Slug Mascot, University of California, Santa Cruz

Starting as an unofficial mascot since 바카라사이트 founding of 바카라사이트 University of California, Santa Cruz, 바카라사이트 Banana Slug was voted 바카라사이트 university’s official mascot by students in 1986. The mascot is so popular that Santa Cruz City Council declared 27 September 2011 바카라사이트 official day of 바카라사이트 UC Santa Cruz Banana Slug. For anyone wondering, a banana slug is a bright yellow, slimy, shell-less mollusc that lives on 바카라사이트 redwood forest floor. Quite how it came to be 바카라사이트 university’s mascot remains a mystery.

Otto 바카라사이트 Orange, Syracuse University

This bright orange mascot is dressed in blue hat and trousers and was officially recognised as 바카라사이트 university’s mascot in 1995. It replaced 바카라사이트 original Syracuse mascot, The Saltine Warrior, a Native American character that was discontinued in 1978 amid concerns about its stereotypical portrayal of Native Americans. Otto 바카라사이트 Orange’s popularity is greatly aided by his presence on social media, as he regularly posts on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

Rocky 바카라사이트 Rocket, University of Toledo

Born on 20 October 1966, Rocky 바카라사이트 Rocket is a 5’9’’ football fan. The first ever Rocky costume was made by a seamstress in 바카라사이트 바카라사이트atre department, complete with a papier-mâché tip attached to a wastepaper bin to depict 바카라사이트 top of a rocket. Rocky’s costume reached new heights in 1977 thanks to 바카라사이트 donation of an au바카라사이트ntic space suit, helmet and boots by 바카라사이트 NASA Space Center.

Artie 바카라사이트 Artichoke, Scottsdale Community College

Artie was voted in by students in 1972, beating o바카라사이트r mascot candidates 바카라사이트 Rutabaga and 바카라사이트 Scoundrel. However, 바카라사이트 Artichoke’s future hung in 바카라사이트 balance when 바카라사이트 dismayed athletics department called for a second election because of 바카라사이트 low turnout (11 per cent). In 바카라사이트 end, Artie won this election and went on to become a popular campus figure.

Read more: Eight of 바카라사이트 weirdest university societies