# Unfortunate College Nicknames **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 27, 2007, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123 "2007-08-27T17:35:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2007, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/21 "2007-08-27T23:36:43Z")
[QUOTE=aktep] Then there’s Western Kentucky’s Hilltopper: [http://www.wkusports.com/images/logo/bigred1.gif](http://www.wkusports.com/images/logo/bigred1.gif) [/QUOTE] Can’t fool me. That’s just a good ole Dogpatch [shmoo](http://images.google.com/images?svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=shmoo&btnG=Search+Images) spray-painted red. ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2007, 11:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/22 "2007-08-27T23:46:25Z")
[QUOTE=ZipperJJ] Delta State (in LA) has a mascot called the “Fighting Okra” which is a big okra with a mean face and boxing gloves. I only know this because they featured “him” (the Okra) on an episode of Good Eats…about okra. Does Arkansas Tech have any female teams? That’d be weird to play as the Wonderboys. [/QUOTE] There’s a high school near me whose teams are called the ‘Baymen’. The girls teams are the ‘Lady Baymen’. ---
**Author:** ![Algher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Algher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Algher)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/23 "2007-08-28T00:20:22Z")
Here in Orange County we have the Anteaters! [http://www.uci.edu/athletics.shtml](http://www.uci.edu/athletics.shtml) While officially it may be “Rip 'em 'Eaters,” unofficially it is “Slip them the tongue!” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/24 "2007-08-28T01:12:08Z")
The University of Alabama, Tuskaloser, (UAT) has the nickname “Cringin’ Turds” but has an elephant mascot. Oh, well; I guess when your nickname is Cringin’ Turd it’s necessary to have some big strong animal to balance things out. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/25 "2007-08-28T01:29:19Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal] Every couple of years, I get to mention this. When South Carolina plays USC, it’s the Cocks versus the Trojans. 😃 [/QUOTE] Has South Carolina ever played Oregon State? I’d love to here them announce, “The Cocks are up against the Beavers tonight!” ---
**Author:** ![John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/2bfe46/32.png) [@John\_Carter\_of\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Carter_of_Mars)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/26 "2007-08-28T01:50:15Z")
[QUOTE=Fear Itself] Has South Carolina ever played Oregon State? I’d love to here them announce, “The Cocks are up against the Beavers tonight!” [/QUOTE] Don’t know about that, but the Beavers emasculated the Trojans last year. ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/27 "2007-08-28T02:11:24Z")
[QUOTE=GorillaGirl] I give you the Geoducks of Evergreen State College [Mascot, Fight Song and picture of actual geoducks](http://www.evergreen.edu/athletics/geoduck.htm) [/QUOTE] And their fight song… I’m having trouble breathing, I’m laughing so hard: _…Siphon high, squirt it out, swivel all about, let it all hang out…_ And I must know about the Wonderboys: What’s the secret of their powers? ---
**Author:** ![betenoir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/258eb7/32.png) [@betenoir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betenoir)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/28 "2007-08-28T02:29:16Z")
The NYU Violets. No really. But then NYU is not really known for it’s team sports. [hijack to the OP] I spent years swimming in Cantamont Pond in NH. I had to walk down hill to get there. And there where no cougars. I feel cheated. [/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/29 "2007-08-28T03:01:05Z")
I’m very proud of my alma mater, but I have to say, the Carnegie Mellon team name is pretty pathetic–The Tartans. Our team is named for a plaid. Ooooh! We’re gonna come CLASH with you! :rolleyes: I was complaining about this to my brother one day. He pointed out that as he went to the University of Pennsylvania, his team was named for a peace-loving brotherhood. While not as lame as The Tartans (IMHO), I had to admit that a name like The Quakers wasn’t exactly intimidating. [QUOTE=postcards] There’s a high school near me whose teams are called the ‘Baymen’. The girls teams are the ‘Lady Baymen’. [/QUOTE] I grew up partially in Hampton Bays, and the team names never struck me as weird. Still don’t. The Geoducks, however…That has to be the most hilarious mascot I’ve ever seen. And I really want to know how that fight song goes! (I wonder if I can get a t-shirt…) ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/30 "2007-08-28T03:08:52Z")
[QUOTE=Drain Bead] Any school that can get a frat boy to wear a hat that says “COCKS” is alright by me. [/QUOTE] There is also the unfortunate side-effect of the rallying cry, “No one can lick our Cocks.” How sad for them. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/31 "2007-08-28T03:17:43Z")
From [here.]([Comin Soon | Truely](http://www.listology.com/content_show.cfm/content_id.22495%5C)) College of the Atlantic Black Files Delta State Fighting Okra Erskine Flying Feet North Carolna School of the Arts Fighting Pickles Trinity Christian Trolls High School Live Oak Mighty Fighting Acorns ---
**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/32 "2007-08-28T03:19:31Z")
Our high school mascot was the Highlanders, and it was a guy with a kilt and bagpipe. The football team completely disregarded this, and were the Wolfpack instead. ---
**Author:** ![GorillaGirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8491ac/32.png) [@GorillaGirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GorillaGirl)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/33 "2007-08-28T03:57:12Z")
I love the internet. [Geoduck Fight Song](http://www.evergreen.edu/library/ARCHWWW/AudioClips/Geoduc%20Fight%20Song.mp3) (direct link to mp3) or go [here](http://www.evergreen.edu/library/ARCHWWW/AudioClips/) and select “Geoduc Fight Song.mp3”. The song starts about 1:50 minutes in. ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/34 "2007-08-28T04:39:25Z")
[QUOTE=Green Bean] I grew up partially in Hampton Bays, and the team names never struck me as weird. Still don’t. [/QUOTE] Well, I was referring to Oyster Bay; didn’t realize Hampton Bays’ teams had the same name. How about the Smithtown Lady Bulls? ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/35 "2007-08-28T04:56:22Z")
The University of Rochester is well known as the only school whose mascot is an insect (Yellowjackets) and school flower is a weed (dandelion). I went to Benjamin Franklin High School and our official nickname was the Quakers. Really. And those were the days before irony. ---
**Author:** ![Shayna](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shayna/32/17976_2.png) [@Shayna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shayna)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/36 "2007-08-28T05:16:56Z")
It’s not college, but the [Hickman High Kewpies](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_H._Hickman_High_School) is kindof a ridiculous name/mascot. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberhwk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7993a0/32.png) [@Cyberhwk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cyberhwk)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 10:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/37 "2007-08-28T10:39:31Z")
[Scottsdale Community College Fighting Artichokes](http://www.scottsdalecc.edu/) ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Charles](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/839c29/32.png) [@Greg\_Charles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greg_Charles)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/38 "2007-08-28T11:15:58Z")
USC’s choice of mascot is unfortunate in two ways, the obvious one being that they share the name with the brand of condoms as noted above. However, they are actually named after the Trojans of the Iliad, a group of people famous for _losing_ a war. ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ccd318/32.png) [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 11:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/39 "2007-08-28T11:20:36Z")
Come now, how can anyone beat [The Fighting Terps?](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://myvtc.com/individual/Crunkkman/profile/Maryland_Terps.gif&imgrefurl=http://myvtc.com/individual/Crunkkman/index.php&h=810&w=891&sz=112&hl=en&start=1&sig2=Y4U03lYNqjuXE_WEYDgPHA&um=1&tbnid=RbpEV7JBdHnE1M:&tbnh=133&tbnw=146&ei=8QLURrucHqH-gQOn57WYCA&prev=/images%3Fq%3DTerps%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DX) It is a freakin’ turtle, people! Further, people from other places do not realize they are the T **e** rps. Gotta love the artwork [Fear the Turtle!](http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.outlook.umd.edu/images/16Nov04_35030115.1122.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sportsmetablogs.com/Blog.aspx%3Fid%3D173&h=225&w=300&sz=50&hl=en&start=274&sig2=AOSvYnUavNjOVIkX2Wf2Rw&um=1&tbnid=LPOFoaMA5h_vTM:&tbnh=87&tbnw=116&ei=DAXURvXbLKL-gQOmxcyYCA&prev=/images%3Fq%3DTerps%26start%3D260%26ndsp%3D20%26svnum%3D10%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dsafari%26rls%3Den%26sa%3DN) , indeed. ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2007, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123/40 "2007-08-28T11:51:08Z")
[QUOTE=betenoir] The NYU Violets. No really. But then NYU is not really known for it’s team sports. [hijack to the OP] I spent years swimming in Cantamont Pond in NH. I had to walk down hill to get there. And there where no cougars. I feel cheated. [/hijack] [/QUOTE] Yeah, but did you “come across” any catamites? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/unfortunate-college-nicknames/417123.md?page=3)