College Names Wacky II

What is the absolute coolest school nickname in college basketball? What would you be if you could be a tree? No, wait, that’s an old standby joke question. (But it might well be a Sycamore, as in Indiana State). Just the other day I was talking about the weirdest and worst college nicknames. Which led me to think of the flip side. How about the best? Though there is, of course, a difference between what you would want to be and what sounds neat.

I would be proud to be a Hoosier at Indiana University, but I think I have the sense of humor to have more fun being a Kangaroo from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, an Anteater representing the University of California Irvine, or a Jackrabbit from South Dakota State. Just think of the logo gear. Who wouldn’t want a ‘Roo on his sweatshirt?

Some of the best of the best nicknames, based on cleverness or class, history or simply sounding solid, are Texas Longhorns, Texas Tech Red Raiders, Tennessee Volunteers, Iowa State Cyclones, East Carolina (and Seton Hall), Pirates (Johnny Depp has helped the pirate image in recent years), the Dayton Flyers, the Florida A&M  Rattlers (although I hate snakes), the Loyola of Chicago Ramblers, and the Marshall Thundering Herd. I always wanted to be part of a thundering herd when I grew up and not being a buffalo or wildebeest enrolling at Marshall seems to be the next best bet.

If a player signed on with Xavier he could be one of 12 Musketeers instead of three, which sounds like a worthwhile opportunity. The Miami Hurricanes seem aptly named, though perhaps too scarily so. The Purdue Boilermakers definitely seem blue collar. The University of Texas at El Paso Miners sound geographically and historically correct for their area. It isn’t clear what LaSalle University is exploring in Philadelphia, but with the name Explorers it seems if the school has a wide world outlook. It also seems as if a hoopster would be glad to be an Aztec at San Diego State.

It would be impressive to be a Commodore at Vanderbilt (or anywhere else where you can go yachting). It sounds appropriate to be a (wheat) Shocker at Wichita State and I am not sure why Idaho wants its athletes to be known as Vandals (perhaps rampaging through its foes), but it’s got a pretty good ring to it.

Centenary of Louisiana is an intriguing case. The men’s athletic teams were known as the Gentlemen and the women’s teams were known as the Ladies. As in Ladies and Gentlemen, start your engines. Now I see they are moving into Iowa State territory, trying to horn in on the Cyclones. Too bad.

Generally, we are basically overhwhelmed by the animal kingdom with Lions, Nittany Lions, in fact, from Penn State, Tigers like those at Princeton, Bears like those at Baylor, Eagles like those at Boston College, Spiders like those at Richmond, Cardinals like those at Louisville, Wildcats from Northwestern and Kansas State, and that returns us full circle to Kangaroos, Anteaters, and Jackrabbits.

Jackrabbits are local in South Dakota, so the choice of the name is perfectably understandable and something the fan base can identify with. Anteaters–and I’m thinking Cal-Irvine doesn’t have to worry about copycats–makes you pause. Why Anteaters? Well, three students submitted the idea in 1965. Bet students still have fun with the mascot–and the on-campus statue of one. I’m sure they are constantly saying, “I’ll meet you at the Anteater?” And who else can say that?

I can’t explain it, never mind justify it, but I have to say that my favorite nickname in Division I college basketball is the Kangaroos. Here’s a shout-out to our Australian friends for the import, mate.