What Are the Most Common College Mascots?

Mascots are lucky charms that add another level of entertainment to college sports. College sports are brought to life by the person dressed like a giant animal running wild on the field or by the real-life animal resting regally on the sidelines. The list of college mascots tends to overlap with mostly animal mascots, revolving around strong, wild beasts.

  1. Eagles

    • Bald eagles are the national bird.

      The national bird is the most popular college mascot, which makes perfect sense. Eagles are known as fierce hunters with talons and beaks that rip flesh from prey to pieces, making them an excellent choice for the battle of sports. The diverse mascot names include Awesome Eagle of Tennessee Tech University, Big Stuff the Eagle from Winthrop University, Gus the Eagle from Georgia Southern University, Monty Eagle at Niagara University, Scrappy Eagle of the University of North Texas, and Swoop Eagle at Emory University and Eastern Washington University. There is even War Eagle VI, the mascot for Auburn University.

    Big Cats

    • Lions are well known as the kings of all wild beasts.

      Tigers and lions are big, ferocious cats known for speed, strength, and flexibility. College teams may be hoping to channel the physical stamina of big cats by naming their mascots in their honor. Some schools even have live tigers and lions stalking the sidelines. Here are a few of the most intriguing big cat mascot names: Aubie the Tiger of Auburn University; Iggy the Lion of Loyola Marymount University; Mike the Tiger of Louisiana State University, who is live and in costume; Power Cat the Tiger of the University of the Pacific; Roomie the Lion of Southeastern Louisiana University; The Nittany Lion of Penn State; and Leo and Una, the live lions of the University of North Alabama.

    Bulldogs

    • Bulldogs are the most popular breed of dog mascots.

      Dog mascots are mainly limited to one breed--the bulldog. Muscular and solid, the bulldog, with its massive jowls and broad shoulders, is represented by dozens of college mascots. Live bulldogs are easier to tend in public than are large cats. Also, breeding bulldogs allows deceased dogs' lucky lineage to be carried on, a tradition that has been upheld for decades at Yale University and the University of Georgia. Here are some of the bulldog mascots: Uga the Bulldog of the University of Georgia, Handsome Dan of Yale University, Jack the Bulldog of Georgetown University, Butler Blue II the Bulldog of Butler University, and Lulu and Mac T. Bulldog of Gardner-Webb University.