Every college and university needs a mascot to represent them, both on and off the field, court, or pitch. They’re loveable, relatable, and give a boost of college pride to every student enrolled in their school. However, saying that some mascots are better than others would be a total understatement. Some universities must have been drunk when they chose these questionably awkward characters to represent their school. These are by far the weirdest, most cringe-worthy mascots that actually exist.
1. Gunston – George Mason
Kicking off our list of terrible college mascots is Gunston from George Mason. Gunston is basically a fuzzy green muppet who was fired from his gig on Sesame Street, and now instead entertains crowds of George Mason sports fans. Unfortunately, in 2009, Gunston retired from the mascot position, only to be replaced by an even creepier, human-like Patriot with an enormous, off-putting head.
2. WuShock – Wichita State
Despite whatever guesses you have as to what this creative might be, Wushock is a giant, muscular stalk of wheat. No, we are not kidding. WuShock, or Wu for short, is loved by his many student fans, even had his 15 minutes of fame when he made a cameo appearance in Jeff Bridges’ 1984 movie “Starman.” He also is known as a bit of a trouble maker and has even been thrown out of games in the past.
3. Blue Blob – Xavier University
Xavier University obviously didn’t have enough time to get creative with their mascot. In fact, this might be the laziest mascot we’ve ever seen. Xavier’s Blue Blob is just that…a blue blob. The university actually already has another mascot, D’Artagnan, but he was apparently very scary to children (as he was huge and carried a big sword), so they came up with what is essentially the exact opposite of that.
4. Izzy the Islander – Texas A&M Corpus Christi
Ok, this mascot is toeing the line of being downright offensive. Izzy the Islander is basically a giant Tiki God with a grass skirt, bare feet, and a wooden mask you could only find in a Hawaiin Luau. Students seem to love it when he comes out, but we’re just not sure how politically correct this one is to people from the Pacific Islands.
5. Sammy the Slug – UC Santa Cruz
One thing you don’t want to be known as when trying to become sports champions is slow. Unfortunately for UC Santa Cruz, their mascot is the physical embodiment of slow, a straight up slug. Sammy the Banana Slug might be slow, but that doesn’t change how his fans feel about him. Students line up for photos and autographs with the slimy mascot, so he is very popular.
6. Fighting Okra – Delta State University
What’s mean and green? A pissed-off okra with boxing gloves of course! Yes, in 1985 Delta State University came up with the idea of an actual vegetable ready for the ring for their school’s mascot. As silly as it seems, students and parents alike are in love with their Fighting Okra, and always get hyped up when he comes running out.
7. Fighting Pickle – University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Continuing right along with the violent vegetable theme, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts decided to go with the Fighting Pickle for their school’s mascot. However, and maybe it’s because it’s an art school, this pickle looks less intimidating as it’s okra cousin, and instead holds a paintbrush, wears a theater mask and a piano skirt, and looks a bit like Shakespeare’s greener brother. We wouldn’t want to face him in a painting competition..but on the court?
8. The Ichabod – Washburn University
Washburn University’s mascot, the Ichabod is named after the school’s benefactor, Ichabod Washburn. In this case, the students began calling themselves Ichabods during the late 1800s, and then the mascot came later in his full form in 1938. As mascots go, he is only slightly off-putting, so it could definitely be a lot worse.
9. Keggy the Keg – Dartmouth College
Yup, you read that correctly. Dartmouth College’s school mascot is a keg…named Keggy. Keggy is technically the unofficial mascot of the school, however he is now an integral part of the Dartmouth culture. In 1971, their mascot, the Dartmouth Indian was (rightfully) abolished, and never replaced. In 2003, some students with a great sense of humor came up with Keggy the Keg. The name stuck, and pretty son Keggy became the unofficial, yet totally official mascot.
10. Mortamer McPestle – St. Louis College of Pharmacy
This mascot might be hard for some of us regular, non-science people to wrap our heads around. This yellow monstrosity, whose name is Mortarmer “Morty” McPestle is a Eutectic. The word “Eutectic” is the process of which two solids are combined to form a liquid. Fitting for a college of pharmacy. Even his name is a scientific pun of a mortar and pestle, used to mix ingredients.
11. Weezy the Boll Weevil – The University of Arkansas at Monticello
If you’re unfamiliar with Boll Weevils, they are basically creepy brown bugs with a long snout that eats cotton buds and flowers and is native to Central Mexico. The University of Arkansas at Monticello apparently liked this bug so much, they turned it green and made it their mascot. Interestly, and maybe a little strangely as well, the boys’ sports teams at UofA are called boll weevils and the girls’ teams are referred to as cotton blossoms.
12. Battling Bishop – Ohio Wesleyan
Ohio Wesleyan has affiliations with the United Methodist Church, so it only makes sense that their mascot comes from the church. In fact, the school itself produces many bishops upon graduation. The funny thing is that a bishop is not the first (or even last) thing you think of when it comes to sports and fights.
13. Temoc – University of Texas at Dallas
If you couldn’t tell by the blue skin or the fiery poof of red hair on Temoc’s head, he is a comet. In fact, his name, Temoc, is Comet spelled backwards. He is apparently super proud of his muscular physique, and students can literally find him working out on campus.
14. Kernel Cobb – Concordia College
Yes, Concordia College’s mascot is literally the stuff of nightmares. Kernel Cobb, an angry corn cob with human features, loves to frequent games and events at the college, and his students love him just as much.
15. Speedy the Geoduck – Evergreen State College
If you don’t know what a Geoduck (pronounced gooey-duck) is, we recommend you go and Google it right now. It is basically a slimy, half-exposed clam thing that looks unsettling similar to male genitalia. Apparently, however, the geoduck was good enough for Evergreen State College to use as their mascot. The mascot itself isn’t so bad, but the real animal behind is honestly horrifying.
