Top 7 Mascots of the 2009 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament #1

By Petside Team | June 15, 2009 5:01 PM

http://huskymascot.blogspot.com/

7. Boston College Eagles

The eagle mascot was adopted by Boston College in 1920 and determined by Rev. Edward McLaughlin based on an eagle's symbolism. Soon after, two eagles were gifted to BC, but the birds did not take to their new home. One escaped and the other injured his beak attempting to escape. For 40 years after the school used a stuffed bird as their mascot, until in 1961 when students lobbied for a live mascot once again. The new mascot "Margo" was gifted by a Colorado man and for 5 years attended games while making her permanent home in a zoo. But in 1966, Margo died from a virus. The bird was now on the endangered species list, so the school began using a costumed student eagle to rally students at games. Boston College now has two costumed mascots, "Baldwin" and the ironically larger "Baldwin, Jr."

www.arizona.edu
Wilber Wildcat.jpg 6. Arizona Wildcats - Wilbur the Wildcat

The University of Arizona's first wildcat mascot was a live bobcat introduced in 1915. The cat was named Rufus Arizona, after the university president Rufus von KleinSmid. He was purchased by the freshman football team for $9.91 and was gifted to the school. Rufus has a number of successors, but the use of live mascots was discontinued in the mid-1960s. The first costumed human mascot named "Wilbur" debuted during the 1959 football season. Today Wilbur has a mascot wife, Wilma Wildcat, who he married on November 21, 1986.

uconnhuskies.com
UConn Husky.jpg 5. University of Connecticut Huskies - Jonathan the Husky

The first live Husky mascot came to the University of Connecticut 1934. All UConn mascots are named Jonathan after Jonathan Trumbull, the Governor of Connecticut during the Revolutionary War. A Jonathan statue can also be found on campus and it is said students rub its nose for good luck.

4. University of Louisville - Cardinal Bird

The University of Louisville's mascot is a Cardinal. His official name is Cardinal Bird, but he is affectionately known to students as The "Bird." The Cardinal is the state bird of Kentucky, which gives the team statewide identification, and a sense of state pride. The Cardinal also provided the inspiration for the school's colors of red and black. The mascot is a rowdy presence at games, once even parachuting into the football stadium to make his entrance.

www.gozags.com

3. Gonzaga Bulldogs- Spike the Bulldog

Human mascots replaced live dogs in 1980 when a Gonzaga student, Mike Griffin, wore a cape and called himself "Captain Zag." A few more students would don the Captain Zag uniform before the Bulldog mascot named "Spike" returned in 1985. Today Spike has become a recognized figure with Gonzaga basketball cheering at every home men's and women's basketball game. Spike's profile rose when he was one of the mascots chosen to appear in Nike's 'Welcome to Bracketville' commercials for the 2000 NCAA Tournament.

www.villanova.com
2. Villanova Wildcats - Will D. Cat

The Wildcat mascot was determined through a university-wide contest in 1926. While the name wildcat refers to a number of larger, untamed cats, Will D. Cat most closely resembles a bobcat. In the 30s and 40s Villanova had live wildcats that were kept on campus in a cage. All were named Count Villan. However, behavioral problems from caging, being around large crowds and the cold weather caused the school to replace live animals with Will D. Cat in 1950.

1. University of Washington Huskies - Dubs the Husky

The University of Washington introduced the Husky as its mascot in 1922, replacing the confusing "Sundodger" mascot. Since that year, the school has had live mascots to represent the school. The first Husky was named Frosty and subsequent mascots have had a variety of names. But just last fall, UW decided to find a permanent name for the mascots. After two rounds of online voting, the university decided that "Dubs" would be the name from then on. The latest mascot was born in November 2008 and is training for his debut sports game appearance on September 5th. You can follow the adorable Dubs' blog at huskymascot.blogspot.com.

Honorable Mentions

Morehead State Eagles
Mississippi State Bulldogs
American Eagles
Binghamton Bearcats
Temple Owls

Comments (36)

NAU March 18, 2009 4:28 PM

lame

Dawgs March 18, 2009 4:30 PM

awesome

Dubs March 18, 2009 4:40 PM

Good choice... Bulldogs suck

TC March 18, 2009 4:44 PM

That's great because that is the named I submitted!!!

south sucks March 18, 2009 4:45 PM

go back to your trailers bulldog fans, you'll get confused by all the clean air and water

groverdawg March 18, 2009 6:00 PM

obviously it's the dawg. msu--prepare to get BURIED tomorrow.

ladeehuskie March 18, 2009 6:01 PM

What a great looking pose! Go Dubs!

Joe Flynn March 18, 2009 6:32 PM

Best in Show....

Jpfjr March 18, 2009 6:56 PM

Where are the Golden Bears of California - Berkeley?
a MUST for Top 10...

JD March 18, 2009 7:55 PM

Nothing better than a Husky - from WA of course!

Dubs Trainer March 18, 2009 8:32 PM

Clearly the best mascot in the nation.

C peeler March 18, 2009 9:48 PM

Best mascot by far. Worst name ever. We should be ashamed.

Anonymous March 19, 2009 5:30 AM

dubs is the coolest name ever.

Seattle Coug Fan March 19, 2009 1:22 PM

The pup may be cute, but the school sucks

Carolina Tar Heel Fan March 19, 2009 2:38 PM

What about the tar heels mascot-- shame on you,Dr. Jon.Their mascot is the RAM and write it down for 2010. It hasn't been the mascot for many yrs, but a logo,I don't know.A #1 in ACC how could you miss them,maybe Dukes mascot,the devil,made you do it?Guess gonna have to tell the Wake Forest "Deacon" to pray for you??

c peeler March 19, 2009 10:58 PM

i noticed that the people who liked the name "Dubs" wont put there names down. typical for narrow minded idiots who have no imagination or appreciation for tradition or history. you guys win. were stuck with a ghetto stupid name for the best mascot in the country.

Diane March 20, 2009 10:56 AM

Although I think Dub's is awesome and am quite proud of him, I AM his trainer and did not post the 3/18 comment.

C peeler March 20, 2009 2:33 PM

You should be very proud of Dubs. That's not my point. The name is terrible. I hear your quite rude to people that come up to pet and interact with the UW mascot. Seems like maybe we should start over with the name and trainer. Like I said best mascot by far, but were stuck with some bad choices if you ask me.

Bill C March 25, 2009 3:46 PM

Super Lame! Dogs and eagles? A freaking cardinal? How are these unique? The only unique one is the Kansas Jayhawks, they should have been number 1.

lame_lame March 25, 2009 9:39 PM

lame - Kansas Jayhawks is super cool. Louisville looks tough. Golden eagle is powerful. Butler? Huskies? Arizona? lame!!!

Tacoma Jayhawk March 26, 2009 12:27 AM

My moniker belies my bias, but I still think Dubs is pretty frikkin' cool. Go Kansas!

KU '73 March 26, 2009 7:44 AM

Canines, felines and birds? Althought the Jayhawk isn't a living, breathing creature, none of the other mascots have any historical significance that compares to it. The Jayhawk represents men and women who fought against the subjugation of an entire race of people. The actions and reactions of those mid-19th century Americans helped to set in motion one of the most turbulent 4 year periods in U.S. history, the outcome of which was a major step toward equality in this country. The other nine mascots can't hold a candle to the importance of the Jayhawk in American history.

skoollaw March 26, 2009 10:28 AM

OK, KU '73; we get the message -- thrice! Fortunately, I am in 100% agreement. In addition to its proud history, the Kansas Jayhawk, in all of its incarnations and subtle variations over the years, is probably the most instantly recognizable mascot in the U.S. As is the "Rock Chalk Chant." So all I can wonder is, whose poll was this?

skoollaw March 26, 2009 10:29 AM

Oh, I see now! "Petside.com" in the website... No big surprise that a live dog wins, eh?

VerseDaddy March 26, 2009 3:00 PM

Had an argument with a Missouri fan about the Kansas Jayhawk and this is what I told him: if you dont like the Jayhawk mascot or you think it is lame because it's not "real" then you support slavery. (Had to go there, MU fans don't listen) We've heard the history, but I'm gonna add another...THE INVENTOR OF THE GAME WAS OUR FIRST COACH. The Jayhawk is #1 for sure.

KU '73 March 26, 2009 6:03 PM

VerseDaddy, don't feel bad about bringing up missouri's confederate leanings. It's a fact. mo would have seceded if not for the Union troops stationed there. Naismith was the first KU bball coach and, admittedly, the only coach with a loosing record. That's OK. He came to Lawrence, KS and the body is still here. One of the best t-shirts I saw during March Madness '08 said, "Kansas, the birthplace of North Carolina basketball". It could have said KY as well. Adolph Rupp was from a little town in KS. Each of the Final Four teams last April had KU connections. Larry Brown, KU coach in '88 had played at UNC and coached at UCLA , John Calipari was an assistant at KU and without Dean Smith (from Emporia, KS) who was on the 1952 KU National Championship team, UNC wouldn't be where it is today. Smith also taught Roy Williams a great deal about coaching. Where did Roy develop his coaching style? On Naismith Blvd, Mt. Oread, Lawrence, KS. Other schools can say what they will, the seeds were planted and nutured in northeat Kansas.

lsu March 29, 2009 9:32 AM

what about the tigers?mike is my favorite

Foo Fighter March 31, 2009 12:38 PM

This is pretty lame. Way to many cats, dogs, and birds. I think the coolest actual mascot I saw this tournament was the Bison from the North Dakota. Don't see to many of those at the tournament!

Dawg April 5, 2009 8:05 PM

Dubs is THE coolest mascot to walk the face of the Earth

omar April 14, 2009 6:41 PM

Just wait until that little puppy is full-size. He will be one bad-a$$ big dawg!

everleigh April 14, 2009 11:11 PM

This is sad, I like to think we are more thoughtful in our choices. KU should have the number one mascot handsdown, for the following reasons historical, political, age and originality not to mention its tie to Naismith. There will never be a second Jayhawk as it is a "unique character." To me these are the characteristics that make a mascot unique .

dawgfan22 May 30, 2009 10:31 PM

UW Huskies! Best by far! DUBS wins hands down, those other mascots are fake!

bob June 21, 2009 8:15 PM

dubs rules!

julie October 27, 2009 12:51 PM

o wow

Diane March 21, 2010 2:57 PM

Flag

DUBS IS CUTE, BUT HE'S NOT A HUSKY!!!!!!!!

Steve May 29, 2010 7:52 AM

Flag

maybe the most worthless list ever compiled. Stupid.

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