March Madness is upon us, and while basketball fans are eagerly tracking the progress of their favorite teams, another set of characters is capturing hearts and rallying crowds: the mascots.
From the grinning Frankie the Friar to the athletic Thunder the Antelope, these mascots bring life and spirit to the tournament.
This blog post delves into the fascinating stories behind some of the most unique mascots participating in this yearโs NCAA menโs and womenโs basketball tournaments. For a comprehensive look at the mascots and their histories, you can check out the original article on the AP News website.
The Unique World of NCAA Mascots
March Madness is not just about the teams; itโs also about the mascots that bring an extra layer of excitement and engagement to the games.
These furry, animated characters serve as rallying points for their schools, each with a unique story and history.
Hereโs a closer look at some of the mascots that will be making waves this tournament season.
St. Francis Universityโs Frankie the Friar
St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania, has made a rare appearance in the NCAA Tournament, and their mascot, Frankie the Friar, is ready to cheer them on.
The Red Flash, as they are known, have a rich history dating back to 1927 when their football team was first referred to by this nickname.
Frankie the Friar, who debuted in 1983, underwent a makeover in 2009, making him more appealing and engaging for fans.
With a grinning, bald-domed look, Frankie is sure to gain more fans if St. Francis can make some noise in the tournament.
UC San Diegoโs King Triton
UC San Diegoโs King Triton is another mascot making a significant impact this year.
This bearded, crown-wearing mascot carries a three-pronged trident and represents the schoolโs connection to the ocean, given its proximity to the Pacific and the presence of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography on campus.
King Triton is making his debut in both the menโs and womenโs tournaments this year, marking UC San Diegoโs first year of eligibility after moving up from Division II to join the Big West Conference in 2020.
Akronโs Zippy the Kangaroo
Akronโs mascot, Zippy the Kangaroo, has a quirky and fascinating history.
Originally named the Zippers after popular rubber galoshes sold by B.F. Goodrich in 1925, the nickname was shortened to the Zips in 1950.
A contest led to the creation of a kangaroo mascot named Mr. Zip, who later became Zippy, a female kangaroo.
Zippy is known for her energetic performances and has become a beloved figure at Akron games.
Grand Canyon Universityโs Thunder the Antelope
Thunder the Antelope is the dynamic mascot of Grand Canyon University.
Known for his high-energy antics, including rappelling from the arena ceiling and dunking basketballs off trampolines, Thunder has become a fan favorite.
The Antelope nickname dates back to 1949, but it wasnโt until 2008 that the mascot was officially named Thunder. Before Thunder, the school had a hairy mascot known as the โPurple People Eater,โ which was replaced in 1981.
South Dakota Stateโs Jack the Jackrabbit
South Dakota State boasts the unique Jack the Jackrabbit mascot, the only one of its kind in U.S. colleges.
The Jackrabbitsโ nickname has been around since either 1905, when a newspaper cartoon likened the football team to jackrabbits, or 1907, when a school yearbook poem adopted the name.
Jack the Jackrabbit has been the official mascot since 2010 and is a beloved figure at South Dakota State games. The state of South Dakota is home to two species of jackrabbits, making the mascot particularly fitting.
St. Johnโs Johnny the Thunderbird
Johnny the Thunderbird is the spirited mascot of St. Johnโs University, which is competing in the menโs tournament for the first time since 2019.
The Thunderbird, a mythological spirit of thunder and lightning, was chosen as the mascot in 2009, 15 years after the school changed its nickname from Redmen to the Red Storm.
Johnny has gained significant exposure recently, making appearances on NBCโs โTonight Showโ and โTodayโ show alongside the schoolโs pep band and dance team.
Mascots Making Headlines
Mascots are typically well-mannered, but there have been notable exceptions during past March Madness tournaments.
In 2006, Stanfordโs unofficial tree mascot was ejected for not leaving the court fast enough after halftime.
Tennesseeโs mascot, Smokey the bluetick coonhound, was tossed from the 1996 womenโs national championship game for destroying a stuffed Bulldog, causing a 15-minute cleanup delay.
A physical altercation occurred at the 1994 menโs Final Four between the mascots for Arizona and Arkansas, resulting in an injury to Arizonaโs Wilbur the Wildcat.
From Mascot to Coach: Bruce Pearlโs Journey
Bruce Pearl, the coach of menโs No. 1 overall seed Auburn, has an interesting backstory involving a brief stint as a mascot.
As a student at Boston College, Pearl was a personal assistant to basketball coach Tom Davis. When the teamโs mascot, Eddie the Eagle, fell ill, Pearl stepped in and donned the costume for one game during March Madness.
His antics, including flapping his โwingsโ to distract opponents, almost got him thrown out of the game for breaking NCAA rules.
For more detailed stories and updates on the mascots participating in this yearโs March Madness, visit the AP News website.

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