A few years ago, when the National Collegiate Athletic Association banned the use of certain mascots they deemed offensive, schools across America were outraged. The New York Times reported how Florida State University’s usage of Seminole imagery and mascots caused concern in the Indian American community. While some members of the Seminole tribe felt the University’s mascot was racist and offensive, others felt it was important to include Seminole imagery in an area so rich with their heritage. The issue was resolved in 2005 when the Seminole Nation General Council voted not to oppose the usage of Indian American imagery and names in school mascots.

Universities have a long tradition of allowing students a certain level of autonomy when it comes to student activities. A recent trend has developed where the student body will select an ironic or unrelated mascot as a critique of political correctness or the emphasis their schools puts on athletics and athletic scholarships.
Check out these schools that have chosen unconventional mascots:

1. University of California, Santa Cruz – Sammy the Banana Slug
Sammy the Banana Slug was conceived in 1981 as a reaction to the decision, made by the then Chancellor and some student athletes, that “Sea Lions” would be the school’s mascot. An altercation occurred after the Chancellor refused to change the mascot, even after a student referendum voted in favor of slug. The Chancellor claimed that only athletes could choose the mascot, but relented after a vote among athletes proved they too wanted to be the Slugs. A 1986 issue of People magazine dedicated a front page to the Banana Slug mascot, and the controversy surrounding its selection.

2. Rhode Island School of Design – Nads
Unlike most, athletics are not the focal point of this school. However, both their ice hockey and basketball teams are popular and inspire school spirit. The basketball team’s slogan and mascot are “balls,” whilst the ice hockey team’s nickname is “nads.” The crowd intentionally shouts “go-Nads” during ice hockey games.

3. Ohio Wesleyan – Battling Bishops
Since 1925 the college has used the Battling Bishops in all of their sporting and competitive teams. Founded by Methodist leaders, their mascot features a grumpy bishop in the school colors of black and red.

4. Scottsdale Community College – Artie the Fighting Artichokes
Artie’s inception in the 1970’s was based on a student protest. Students felt that the school was spending too much money on building a sporting reputation and when asked to vote on a mascot three were proposed: Artie the Artichoke, The Scoundrels and The Rutabagas. The Artichoke won and despite the school’s failure to recognize him, he has remained their mascot.

5. North Carolina School of the Arts – Fighting Pickles
Despite having no officially sanctioned athletic team, this school’s mascot has been around since 1972. A competition to name the student football team was held and the name that won was “The Pickles,” accompanied by the slogan “Sling ‘em by their warts.”

6. Texas Christian University – Super Frog the Horned Frog
In usage since 1897, this mascot is a more obvious choice as the horned frog is the state reptile of Texas. The frog was renamed Super Frog in 1979.

7. University of Arkansas at Monticello – The Boll Weevil
The Boll Weevil is a formidable enemy as can destroy a cotton crop.

8. Delta State University – The Fighting Okra
The Fighting Ocra has been the university’s unofficial mascot since the 1980’s. The official mascot of the university is the statesmen but students felt the “statesman,” was not a very intimidating mascot. They felt the mascot should be mean and green, leading to the DSU baseball team chanting “Okra, Okra, Okra!” Younger students take great pride in their mascot while older alumni are often embarrassed by the divergence from the official mascot.

9. Campbell University – Gaylord the Camel
The original mascots of this school were the Hornets, but was changed in 1934, when a student made a pun on founder James Archibald Campbell’s name.

10. University of California Irvine – Anteaters
Described as “original and slightly irrelevant,” the anteater has been the school’s mascot since 1965.

Do you know any weird school mascots? Let us know!