What are Mascots?
According to the Meriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary, a mascot is “a person, animal, or object adopted by a group as a symbolic figure, especially to bring them luck.” The Online Etymology Dictionary explains the word mascot has been traced back to a dialectic use in Provence and Gascony, France, where it was used to describe anything that brought luck to a household.
History and purpose of mascots
Mascots can be traced all over the world, and as far back as primitive times of hunters and gatherers. Ancient art, in museums today, often feature mascots as animals or other intimidating characters. Native Americans used these intimidating faces in their totem poles to please the gods and effect fortunate outcomes in daily life.
Likewise, high school, college, university, and professional sports teams use mascots to intimidate rival teams. Mascots are symbols used to promote unity and tradition within the team and amongst fans. During the 1800’s live animals were used, but this practice has evolved – with rare exception – to using costumed actors, due mostly to convenience factors.
Mascot monuments are often made of high-quality bronze, fiberglass, or cast stone. They can be representative of the live animal (or person), or even an anthropomorphic (i.e. cartoon) version – as well as many one of a kind, specialty items. Bronze statues are durable, and have been known to last over 2000 years.
Choosing a mascot
Often the choice of a mascot reflects a desired quality. A common example of this is the “fighting spirit,” in which a competitive nature is personified by warriors or predatory animals. Mascots may also symbolize a local or regional trait, such as the Nebraska Cornhuskers’ mascot, Herbie Husker: a conventionalized version of a farmer, due to the agricultural traditions of the university’s locale.
Since the mid-20th century, costumed characters have provided teams with an opportunity to choose a fantasy creature as their mascot, as is the case with the Xavier University’s mascot, the Blue Blob. However, choosing a mascot can be a difficult task, as exemplified by Oregon State University, which has had between 9 and 11 different mascots (depending on what is defined as ‘official) from 1892 – to present.
Mascot controversy
Controversy continues in regard to the use of traditionally Native American symbols used as mascots by college and professional sports teams. Starting in the 1960’s, Native American activists started pressuring sports teams to stop using mascots that could be perceived, directly or indirectly, to be Indian-related. The major concern was that Native Americans were portrayed as second-rate, stupid, cartoon-like, or violent. Still, teams like the Washington Redskins, Cleveland Indians, and the Atlanta Braves, resist continuing pressure to terminate the use of their Indian mascots based on the fact that they are private entities, and free to choose whatever mascot they desire. Additionally, these organizations assert that their mascots honor and pay tribute to the Native American culture.
Superlatives
Tallest Mascot– It’s difficult to determine the tallest mascot, but the Duke Bulldog is 8 feet tall. The tallest corporate mascot is a 40-foot Energizer Bunny in Sima Valley, CA.
Best Unofficial Mascot – Keggy the (beer) Keg.
Heaviest Mascot – Bevo XIII of University of Texas, weighing in at 1900 lbs.
Longest Running Mascot – Handsome Dan (Yale University) and the Princeton Tiger have been mascots for over 100 years.
Most Popular Mascot – The bulldog.
Most Spirited Mascot – Big Red of Western Kentucky, voted by the Universal Cheerleading Association.
Oldest Living Mascot – Nellie the dolphin (Jacksonville University [FL]) celebrated her 55th birthday in 2008.
