The Top 10 Most Bizarre Mascots in College History

By Amelia Woolard

Of all the things in the world, few beat the thrill of watching college sports from the student bleachers. When you’re in college, athletics can seem like the bottom line of your university’s reputation – that and its stimulating academic programs, of course. (You did realize universities have classes, right?)

All jokes aside, many colleges and universities put a lot of energy into maintaining just the right amount of athletic prowess and fun-loving folly on and off the field, and nothing encapsulates school spirit like a team mascot, powerful or… otherwise.

Sure, we all know and love the various Lions, Tigers, and Bears (oh my!) representing the collegiate leagues, but what about those suited friends showing off a bit more…um, individuality? These mascots are funny, unusual, and in one case, completely nonexistent. Read on to meet the Top 10 Most Bizarre Mascots in College History.

The Boll Weevil at University of Arkansas at Monticello

Donning a rather large, pickle-shaped nose, this Squidward-esque mascot is furry, green, and a bit misunderstood. Unless you lived in the Southern United States in the early 1900s, you likely haven’t encountered a boll weevil, let alone know what the heck it is. These small pests rose to notoriety around the turn of the 20th century due to their affinity for cotton—lots and lots of cotton.

In fact, their cotton cravings were so severe that the bugs devastated cotton-producing states for almost 100 years before an eradication campaign launched in the late 1970s. Now, the boll weevil can be found in just a handful of places including the University of Arkansas at Monticello, of course. Given its history, it’s no wonder the boll weevil was the southern university’s pick of choice – just imagine the havoc it can wreak to opposing teams, like that poor, unfortunate cotton!

The Null Set at New College of Florida

A college mascot often embodies vision, spirit, or character. But for New College of Florida, their mascot of choice represents…nothing at all. While many theories exist regarding the off-putting New College of Florida Null Set, the real story represents what happens when good intentions are met with forgetfulness or plain disinterest.

It all began in 1997 upon realizing that the university’s beloved mascot, Brownie the Dog, had officially crossed the rainbow bridge. With the tragedy at the forefront of their minds, the student body attempted to vote on a new mascot, but unfortunately, they couldn’t reach a decision. So, they indicated the missing mascot with empty brackets, intending to fill it with the new selection at a later date. Over 20 years later, the Null Set remains, and it will likely stay that way as an homage to the school’s brains-over-brawn appeal.

The Purple Cow at Williams College

Contrary to many of the other mascots on this list, the origin story of Ephelia, the Purple Cow of Williams College, is an absolute mystery to just about everyone associated with the school. There are, of course, a few theories regarding her genesis with the most popular being a homage to the student-led humor magazine that debuted in 1907 by the name of The Purple Cow.

In addition to a bevy of jokes and graphic designs concerning none other than purple cows, the initial issue of the magazine featured a nonsensical poem of the same title written a few years earlier. In the poem, well-known humorist and poet at the time, Frank G. Burgess, mentions that he’s never seen a purple cow, and that if he does, he’d prefer that over being one. Sorry, Ephelia – no hard feelings.

The Billiken at Saint Louis University

This mascot looks like something straight out of Adventure Time, and believe us, we know that we’re not the first to notice it. In fact, Saint Louis University’s elfish, blue and white mascot was deemed so terrifying, the poor guy had to be redesigned twice before the public would finally deem him as acceptable.

But, despite the facelift, you still probably have no earthly idea what a Billiken is.  Although its true origins are a bit murky, history asserts that the Billiken was designed by an art teacher, who claimed to see the figure in a dream sometime during the early 1900s. Believing that the figure embodied hope and happiness, this art teacher, Florence Pretz, patented her design and sold it to the Billiken Company of Chicago, which then mass-produced the figure into thousands of dolls, statues, incense burners, and more.

Almost immediately adopted as a good luck figurine in the United States and Asia, the Billiken was believed to bring good luck to those who’d buy or receive it—much like a modern-day Buddha statue. Once a personal good luck token of Wizard of Oz author, L. Frank Baum, the Billiken eventually made its way to Saint Louis University, supposedly because of the physical similarities between the impish Billiken and former SLU football coach, John Bender. Today, the Billiken isn’t as popular as it once was in mainstream culture, but it remains a source of good fortune on and off the SLU football field.

Artie the Fighting Artichoke at Scottsdale Community College

As with any good mascot origin story, Artie the Fighting Artichoke is a testament to Scottsdale Community College’s strong student spirit! Plus, how can anyone frown—win or lose—with the artichoke’s wide, goofy grin staring back at you?

In the early 1970s, Scottsdale Community College faced a tough decision to allot increased funding to either athletics or in-class resources. Many students protested the school’s decision to increase athletic spending and on-campus controversy ensued. With a fire in their belly, an overwhelming majority of students presented school administration with the artichoke when asked to select a new mascot in 1972. Meant to initially induce embarrassment, the artichoke eventually grew on the college staff as well as the student body. Now, some 40-ish years later, Artie the Artichoke remains one of SCC’s most beloved characters— and certainly one of the most mood-lifting mascots to date.

Peter the Pickle at North Carolina School of the Arts

Donning a feathered cap and Dali-like facial hair, this pickle is more sophisticated than most humans—ourselves included. With that being said, he certainly appears to receive the respect he deserves at the North Carolina School of the Arts and beyond. But here’s some real talk: who wouldn’t absolutely adore a pickle infused with the look of William Shakespeare himself?

To say that Peter the Pickle is a well-loved figure would be an extreme understatement as evidenced by NCSA’s multiple blogs and origin stories dedicated to him. One April Fool’s columnist even dared to suggest that the mascot change to Charlie the Cucumber because “all pickles are cucumbers at heart.”  If the endless written materials on this rather absurd mascot aren’t enough to convince you, then maybe the on-campus dining hall named the Pickle Jar and a school-sponsored personality quiz designed to answer the burning question, “What’s my perfect pickle persona?” will provide you with a bit more evidence.

The Troll at Trinity Christian College

Trolls aren’t usually something you’d equate with college athletics, but for Trinity Christian University’s Troll Nation, it’s part of their teams’ claim to fame. And with the popularity of “internet trolling” on the rise, it honestly may be an age-appropriate name when it comes to competition, if anything.

While there is no clearly defined story regarding the troll’s history, the menacing mascot is likely linked to Norse and Scandinavian folklore. According to the college’s website, legend has it that a troll held court over the swath of Palos Heights that is now the Schaaf Athletics Complex where TCC’s athletic teams practice and compete. Over the years, faculty and staff have kept the mythic beast’s spirit alive, occasionally reporting sightings of trolls lurking in the greenery surrounding campus, but none have managed to capture the creature on their smartphones—yet.

The Friar at Providence College

Basketball fans were likely scared out of their wits during this year’s March Madness when a large, lurking figure in a white robe and black cowl took the court. But, no worries, he isn’t from the latest Conjuring spin-off. In fact, he’s known as Friar Dom, and he’s the latest and most terrifying mascot to come out of Providence College since the school’s founding.

Way back when, the school employed Dalmatians to represent their athletic teams, a fitting decision since the pope declared the school’s Dominican founders as “watchdogs of the Lord.” Several Friar Boy pups later, Providence unveils Friar Dom, an awkward, gap-mouthed mascot only Cruella de Vil could love. One Yahoo! Sports columnist even wrote, “…where once a tongue-wagging Dalmatian melted their hearts, a zombie apostle now melts their faces.” So, on that note, have fun sleeping tonight, kids!

Oakie the Acorn at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Okay, so this cute little acorn isn’t as bizarre as some of the other mascots on our list, but he still earns  his spot since  he’s essentially an acorn with dancing limbs, and that’s still pretty weird, right?  But, believe it or not, there’s so much more to Oakie than his happy and nutty façade may lead you to believe.

Oakie is a jolly testament to the College of Environmental Science and Forestry’s student spirit – so much so that he was handpicked by the student body to represent their athletic teams, the Mighty Oaks, in 2010. The acorn is also a nod to the College’s landmark Robin Hood Oak, which stands on the east end of campus and was actually the first tree to be listed on the National Register of Historic Trees in the United States.

Besides embodying a little slice of SUNY history, Oakie is also the winner of the 2017 SUNY Mascot Madness Championship and the inspiration behind Acorns to Action, a SUNY ESF student organization dedicated to helping 2017 hurricane relief efforts with storms such as Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, and Hurricane Maria. So, we think it’s pretty safe to say that this acorn is totally compassio-nut about its community!

Speedy the Geoduck at Evergreen State College

Last but certainly not least, we present to you: Speedy the Geoduck. And no, he’s not another pickle. Despite what the name suggests, Speedy is not a duck, but rather a huge burrowing clam. This metallic green and rather slimy-looking mascot represents a clam so large that it can’t even fit into its own shell, hence the Evergreen motto “omnia extares,” or “let it all hang out!”  Wow, that sounds very West Coast, guys.

As it turns out, the founders of Evergreen were fully aware of the weirdness associated with this mascot and chose it for that specific reason. According to the college’s website, the geoduck is meant to signify alternative thinking as well as the academic endeavors associated with “digging deep” – into schoolwork, community involvement, and the like. Pretty profound for something that looks like an overgrown slug, but hey, who are we to judge?

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