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 year’s NCAA men’s and women’s 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; it’s 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.
Here’s a closer look at some of the mascots that will be making waves this tournament season.
St. Francis University’s 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 Diego’s King Triton
UC San Diego’s King Triton is another mascot making a significant impact this year.
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This bearded, crown-wearing mascot carries a three-pronged trident and represents the school’s 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 men’s and women’s tournaments this year, marking UC San Diego’s first year of eligibility after moving up from Division II to join the Big West Conference in 2020.
Akron’s Zippy the Kangaroo
Akron’s 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 University’s 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 wasn’t until 2008 that the mascot was officially named Thunder. Before Thunder, the school had a hairy mascot known as the “Purple People Eater,” which was replaced in 1981.
South Dakota State’s Jack the Jackrabbit
South Dakota State boasts the unique Jack the Jackrabbit mascot, the only one of its kind in U.S. colleges.
The Jackrabbits’ 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. John’s Johnny the Thunderbird
Johnny the Thunderbird is the spirited mascot of St. John’s University, which is competing in the men’s 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 NBC’s “Tonight Show” and “Today” show alongside the school’s 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, Stanford’s unofficial tree mascot was ejected for not leaving the court fast enough after halftime.
Tennessee’s mascot, Smokey the bluetick coonhound, was tossed from the 1996 women’s national championship game for destroying a stuffed Bulldog, causing a 15-minute cleanup delay.
A physical altercation occurred at the 1994 men’s Final Four between the mascots for Arizona and Arkansas, resulting in an injury to Arizona’s Wilbur the Wildcat.
From Mascot to Coach: Bruce Pearl’s Journey
Bruce Pearl, the coach of men’s 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 team’s mascot, Eddie the Eagle, fell ill, Pearl stepped in and donned the costume for one game during March Madness.
His antics, including flapping his “wings” 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 year’s March Madness, visit the AP News website.
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