| The idea behind mascots is to select something for a | | | | ones the players sport on the field. The more closely |
| competitive team, an animal, person or thing that is | | | | they resemble the actual jerseys, the more coveted |
| somehow supposed to bring the team good luck. It is | | | | they are. Fans even choose their favorite player, and |
| not always about emulating the traits the selected | | | | wear jerseys with their players name emblazoned on |
| mascots embody, although that may be the origins. It's | | | | the back. It is a show of camaraderie and belonging. |
| easy to see why a football team might want to call | | | | For many universities, the mascot is a part of the |
| itself the Rams or the Tigers, but sport mascot | | | | history and culture of the school, deeply ingrained in the |
| designs include a wide range of things, even colors. | | | | student body. The mascot along with the trophies in |
| It may be more accurate to consider that the mascot | | | | the glory case proudly displayed in the ministration |
| is something to rally around, something that brings the | | | | buildings even play a role in recruiting. Ironically, the |
| community in closer association with the team. It's a | | | | exact history of the mascots has been long lost. But |
| way for the fans of the team to identify with the | | | | no matter every school will have a story behind its |
| players on the field. School colors work in much the | | | | mascot. The United States Air Force Academy is a |
| same way. If the team has selected an animal like a | | | | reasonably young university, and he chose as its |
| cougar as its mascot, then you are likely to see all | | | | mascot the falcon. That they selected a bird is |
| manner of representation of cougars for the fans. | | | | probably not a surprise because the falcon because it |
| From shirts to jackets and shoes to key chains, the | | | | is known as the fighter jet of the avian world. |
| image of the cougar marks those who carry or wear | | | | But not everything about mascots is without |
| them as fans that support that team. | | | | controversy. Names and references to items, religious |
| Some might consider it simply a clever marketing ploy, | | | | practices and tribes of Native Americans have long |
| one facet of sports promotion. Revenue generated | | | | caused friction. In 2005, the incidental aseptic for how |
| from the sale of mascot emblazoned trinkets and gear | | | | they use of these mascots. They may be detained is |
| provides a means to defray the cost of travel and | | | | a Native American symbol or name as a mascot from |
| equipment for the team itself. Alumni are certainly | | | | participating in a championship game under their |
| another source of revenue, and they absolutely love | | | | jurisdiction. |
| their mascots. It is from the alumnus, that usually seen | | | | One of the effective universities with Florida State, |
| a more extreme form of mascot collection. | | | | whose mascot, the Seminole, named after the |
| The mascot seems to be more than just that, the | | | | Seminole tribe of the southeastern United States, |
| commercial side pales when compared to the | | | | would make them ineligible, threatened to sue the |
| motivational possibilities. The mascot doesn't just give | | | | NCAA. What made this conflict interesting is the |
| team a name, It gives them an identity. Even when | | | | Seminole tribes within Florida loudly supported FSUs |
| they're not practicing on the field were actually playing | | | | use of the icon. Seminole tribes outside of Florida were |
| a game is not unusual for the players to wear the | | | | very much against it. It's a clear example of the |
| jacket's emblazoned with their mascot everywhere. It | | | | emotions sport mascot designs can generate, which is |
| becomes a part of their persona, who they are. | | | | precisely what they are suppose to do. |
| Likewise, fans absolutely love to wear jerseys like the | | | | |