Mascot Madness: Gaels, Hatters and Lancers among this year’s distinct
Mar 21, 2024, 07:30 AM ET While college basketball fans have plenty to celebrate in the 2024 NCAA guys’s and ladies’s competitions, much of them also take pleasure in the mascots.The bulldog is one
of the most iconic ones in college sports. As many as 15 NCAA Division I schools have bulldogs as their mascots. Schools such as the Yale Bulldogs, Drake Bulldogs and Gonzaga Bulldogs will all have actually the breed represented in March Madness.But bulldogs will not be the only mascots roaming the sidelines.
From charming animals to special nods to school history, here’s a breakdown of some mascots featured in this year’s tournaments. Stetson Hatters The Stetson Hatters are among 3 teams from Florida in this year’s tournament. StetsonU/ X 3 Florida teams are playing in the men’s bracket. While many understand of Albert the Gator– the No. 7-seeded Florida mascot– and Owlsley the Owl from Florida Atlantic, lesser known No. 16 Stetson has a mascot who might turn heads.This will be the Hatters’ very first appearance in the competition because ending up being a Division I team in 1971. The Hatters’ origin originates from John B. Stetson– the inventor of Stetson hats. Stetson made a donation to the DeLand Academy when the school was facing financial concerns and Stetson was named chairman of the board of trustees in 1889, according to Stetson Sports. The university was also renamed in his honor.While there have been other variations, the current mascot represents Stetson.Saint Mary’s GaelsThe Saint Mary’s Gaels mascot is a nod to Irish heritage. Getty Images
The No. 9 Saint Mary’s Gaels will make their 3rd straight appearance in the tournament.Per Merriam-Webster
, a Gael is a Celtic, specifically Gaelic-speaking occupant of Ireland, Scotland or the Island of Man.In the 1920s, sportswriter Grantland Rice coined Saint Mary’s “the Gaels” due to the fact there were many Irish players on the team, according to Saint Mary’s Athletics.Longwood Lancers Mr. Elwood will join the Longwood Lancers in their second appearance in 3 years. Getty Images
The No. 16 Longwood Lancers will compete in the competition for the second time in the previous 3 years. While they’re known as the Lancers, their mascot is called Mr. Elwood.Introduced in 2011,
the Lancer was voted as the brand-new mascot by alumni, professors, staff and students. There were over 4,300 votes collected, according to Longwood Sports, however they aren’t the only Lancers to go dancing.Women’s basketball
California Baptist Lancers Larry the Lancer will sign up with the team in its first trip to March Madness. California Baptist Lancers
On the women’s side, the No. 15 California Baptist Lancers will be playing in their program’s first Division I NCAA tournament.Its main mascot name is” Lance the Lancer, “according to California Baptist Lancers Athletics.Presbyterian Blue Tube Based out of the Big South Conference, the Presbyterian Blue Hose
will be dancing for the very first time in their school’s history.Presbyterian was at first described as heaven Stockings, but the name was shortened
to Blue Tube in 1954. The nickname is a nod to the blue socks that were basic in their uniform.Chattanooga Mocs The Chattanooga Mocs are among the unique mascots in this year’s NCAA competition. Getty Images The No. 14 Chattanooga Mocs will play No. 3 NC State Wolfpack.While the Wolf Load are a mascot lots of fans may recognize, the Mocs may have some scratching their heads.A moc refers to the Tennessee state bird
. The mascot itself is called after football coach A.C.” Scrappy”Moore, according to Chattanooga Sports.