To release some of this pent-up frustration with boring university mascots, I’ve created a list of the 10 full OVC member schools and their mascots, while also providing a certified Aidan Cusack suggested name change.
Yes, you may disagree. All of these are opinions. Enjoy.
- Southern Illinois University- Edwardsville Cougars
A fine mascot, yet it SIUE falls victim to the “big scary animal” trope, like many schools will on this list. I don’t necessarily have a problem with this, if the school takes a local angle (shout out the Florida Gators). You will find cougars in the Rocky Mountains and on the West Coast. You will not find Cougars in the suburbs of Saint Louis.
Suggested name change: The SIUE Steamboats, in honor of Edwardsville’s connection to the Mississippi river.
- EIU Panthers
Is there some voter fatigue here? Certainly.
Do I still think the Panthers are weak mascots? Definitely.
I think it’s a bummer that panthers were chosen when there are plenty of interesting big scary animals in the surrounding area. I’d like to highlight a few of the aquatic predators in the area. Shoutouts to water snakes and snapping turtles.
Suggested name change: The Eastern Illinois Patriots. I know I was yammering about predators in the area, but Coles County was sort of a hotbed during the Civil War. There was the infamous Charleston Riot in 1864 and, of course, Abraham Lincoln himself has been around the area quite a bit. The Patriots seem apt.
- University of Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans
There is little more I dislike in athletics than when a school calls themselves “The Trojans.”
The University of Southern California got to it first. You lost. Time to call an audible.
UA-Little Rock has been an institution since 1927. The city itself dates back to French exploration in the early 1800’s. Quite a bit of history to comb through and certainly a few eligible mascots.
Suggested name change: The UA- Little Rock River Hawks. The reason Little Rock exists is because of the Arkansas River. I do strongly dislike animal mascots, but something that pays homage to the city’s founding and a prominent avian predator in the area would be nice.
- Tennessee State Tigers
Another big scary animal.
Tennessee State University should be able to come up with a more creative name than the Tigers. Thankfully it’s not a North American big cat. Cougars and panthers are seriously overdone. For that, they get the slightest props.
Suggested name change: The Tennessee State Aggies. Before the school changed its name in 1968, it was known as Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial. A quick steal from Texas Agricultural and Mechanical gives them their proposed nickname.
- Lindenwood Lions
Lindenwood has a strange history, which is good for this exercise. More interesting nicknames to choose from.
The school was founded by U.S. expansionist and explorer George Champlin Sibley. It was created exclusively for women in 1912, somewhat radical for the time period.
Today the school is the OVC’s lone private school, yet it is not a religious institution despite historically strong ties to the Methodist church.
I think it would be appropriate to honor this complex history with an interesting mascot.
Suggested name change: The Lindenwood Pioneers, in honor of their founder.
- Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles
I do like the Golden Eagles, don’t get me wrong. It’s a unique spin on a boring mascot.
My gripe is that they changed to the Golden Eagles from an impeccable nickname. Before 1970, Tennessee Tech went by “The Techmen.”
If they didn’t throw away a unique and relevant name, they’d be higher on this list. Unfortunate.
Suggested name change: The Tennessee State Techmen. Just go back.
- The University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles
I give props for the adjective on this one.
I actually respect the Screaming Eagles, despite it being an animal mascot. The creators of the nickname added “screaming” to distinguish themselves from other schools who use the eagle as a mascot.
For that reason alone, there will be no suggested name change.
- Southeast Missouri Redhawks
Despite the interesting space drop in this nickname, it is still just a bird. Negative aura.
This name would be lower on the list if it wasn’t for a bit of history. In 2005, SEMO changed its name from the Indians to the Redhawks in effort to embrace a more modern identity.
The naming process felt thought out, so again, no suggested name change.
UT Martin Skyhawks
This is good.
The Skyhawks were chosen in 1995 to represent the region’s connection to aviation. The area hosted a civilian pilot training program during World War II. For that reason, they were dubbed the Skyhawks.
No suggested name change.
Western Illinois Leathernecks
Perfection.
The name was inspired by Ray “Rock” Hanson, a prominent figure in WIU’s athletic history. Hanson served as both the head football coach and athletic director at WIU, and was a decorated marine during World War I.
He received approval from the U.S. Navy to allow WIU to use the Marine Corps’ nickname, “Leathernecks,” making WIU the only non-military institution in the United States to officially adopt a Marine Corps nickname.
For obvious reasons, no suggested name change.
Aidan Cusack can be reached at 581-2812 or at atcusack@eiu.edu.
