Mascots: a Brief History

Long before the introduction of organized sport, mascot imagery has been a part of human culture. Ancient civilizations associated animals with specific characteristics and looked to the spirits of these animals to channel those traits, such as “the grace and power of the big cats, the speed and endurance of the wolf, the cunning of the fox and the utter power of the bear” (Yarbrough 11). 

Today, this same imagery serves as a power symbol within organizations, unifying groups under a common representative that stands for their values and history. This concept is present in no arena more so than in college sports. Mascots bring to life the spirit of a university, connecting students past, present, and future.