Colorful, weird, slimy: Unusual college mascots you have to see

Western Kentucky's Big Red: Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY said of Big Red "A ghostly blob of character with a Humpty Dumpty shape, a chubby torso, dead and soulless eyes, and spindly legs carrying a mouth as wide as his body (into which he'll stuff anything in sight). Big Red looks like a rejected McDonald's character, and not in a good way. But what's scariest of all is that he makes no sense: WKU are the Hilltoppers, and Big Red is just this thing from another planet who acts nice and cute but (in my opinion) hides deep and unsettling thoughts behind those googly eyes topped by his cartoonishly arched brows. That Big Red wears sneakers indicates to me that he's attempting to assimilate into society, which is what keeps me awake at night."

UC Santa Cruz Banana Slugs: The UC Santa Cruz student body got behind the idea of the lowly banana slug because they felt it represents how UCSC pushes for athletic participation for all compared to the attitudes of most universities. John Travolta famously wore a UCSC shirt in the 1994 movie, "Pulp Fiction."

Delta State Fighting Okra: The "Fighting Okra" moniker grew out of humor among Delta State University students about the improbability that anyone would find a "Statesman," the school's official mascot, particularly frightening.

Xavier's Blue Blob: The Blue Blob was created in 1985 as a kid-friendly alternative to the sometimes-scary main man, D'Artagnan, the Musketeer's other mascot. Sports Illustrated reported that the Blue Blob, which has appeared in two SportsCenter commercials, dazzles crowds with its unique acts, such as licking fans with its two-foot-long tongue or shoving objects down its mouth.

Nebraska Cornhuskers mascot Lil' Red: One of two official Nebraska mascots, Lil’ Red is another created for kids and the women’s volleyball team in 1993. He is seen at Football and basketball games. He won the NCAA National Mascot Competition in 1999.

Purdue's Purdue Pete: Purdue Pete was once named second worst among the 128 mascots judged in categories that included "The Sexiest College Mascots in America" and "The Most Offensive College Mascots in America."

Pepperdine's Willie the Wave: Willie has had an on-again, off-again history at Pepperdine. He first appeared in 1952, was gone till 1972 (Don’t Google. You wont be able to sleep). Was replaced by King Neptune from 1996-2003 and returned in 2006, seemingly to stay this time.

Syracuse's Otto the Orange: Otto became a member of the Mascot Hall of Fame in 2023 and has been Syracuse's official mascot since 1995. A group of about 10 student-athletes play Otto.

Saint Louis Billikens: During the 1911 season, according to one version of the story, local sportswriters tabbed football coach John R. Bender's teams as "Bender's Billikens" because he had an uncanny resemblance to a charm doll called a Billiken, a national fad at the time. HokieBird from Virginia Tech is another colorful and unusual mascot.

Williams College mascot, Ephelia the Purple Cow: The Massachusetts school mascot is famously the Purple Cow. A 1907 vote gave Williams College its mascot, named after a student humor magazine on campus.

Stanford Tree: Stanford's mascot was ejected in 2006 at halftime of Stanford's game against Florida State in the second round of the women's tournament for an on-court altercation with tournament officials, according to a report in SFGate.com. The NCAA suspended the Tree for the rest of the tournament, banned the mascot from participating in the women's tournament the following year and fined the school an undisclosed sum, according to SFGate.

Providence's Friar Dom: Friar Dom is the black-robed figure roaming the court during breaks and cheering on the team from the baseline alongside the Providence cheerleaders, named after the Dominican Friars who founded the college. According to the school's history, the first Providence College mascot was a Dalmatian, named Friar of What-Ho and made its first appearance at a 1935 football game. The dog was replaced by a human mascot after the death of Friar Boy IV in 1963.

University of Akron mascot Zippy: Zippy made history by signing a name, image and likeness (NIL) deal with the Summit County ADM Board in 2024. Zippy became the first female (female kangaroos have pouches) mascot to sign such a deal in the college sports world, according to a University of Akron news release. Zippy's multiyear partnership with the Summit Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services Board will help raise awareness for behavioral health and the ADM Board's work in prevention, treatment and recovery support services.

University of California-Irvine Anteaters: The Anteater was chosen as the school's mascot in1965 after a vote. The inspiration for mascot Peter The Anteater came from "B.C.," a comic strip by Johnny Hart.