The word mascot comes from the French word “mascotte,” which translates roughly to “lucky charm.” In America, the term has become synonymous with people dressing up in cartoonish costumes and strutting about a large green field. It’s a ritual I know all too well.
Two summers ago, I worked for a collegiate league baseball team — the Minot Hot Tots — in the middle of nowhere, North Dakota. Unbeknownst to me when I applied, one of my responsibilities would be attending events as the team’s mascot. And so, to my dismay, I dressed up as everyone’s favorite flaming tater tot — Tate R. Tot.
While the experience zapped away every ounce of my dignity, it also made me a mascot connoisseur. Therefore, no one is more qualified than me to accurately rank each Big Ten mascot.
In order to protect myself from any distasteful comments stemming from such a polarizing topic, I will — just this once — set my journalistic integrity aside. This article is completely biased and wholeheartedly partial.
With that being said, here is the definitive ranking of every mascot in the Big Ten Conference:
No mascots
The only schools in the conference without official mascots are Michigan and Illinois. In 1927, the Wolverines experimented with, well, wolverines. Fielding H. Yost, the university’s athletic director at the time, struck a deal with the Detroit Zoo to acquire a pair. Their names were Biff and Bennie, and — after behavioral issues — they were promptly removed from the sidelines.
For 81 years, Illinois’ mascot was Chief Illiniwek. After controversy regarding the depiction of a Native American character as a form of cultural appropriation, the school retired the mascot in 2007 and hasn't adopted another one since.
Both mascot-less programs will understandably be left out of my rankings.
16. Nittany Lion (Penn State)
Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics
I mean, just look at this villain. The Nittany Lion looks like a third grader’s drawing come to life. Since when did Dollar General sell costumes? I find it hard to believe that Penn State fans genuinely enjoy this mascot; it’s not intimidating, not funny and, honestly, makes me a wee bit sad. Who thought it would be a good idea to dress him in just a scarf? No jersey, no pants, nothing but a striped scarf.
15. Purdue Pete (Purdue)
Tribune News Service
Yes, I attend Indiana University. No, that did not factor into this ranking. Human mascots, generally speaking, look silly. Purdue Pete is no different. I’ll give him credit: the name’s catchy, and the hammer he carries is a nice touch. However, that face is nightmare fuel. His lack of expression gives him an eerie presence resembling that of a serial killer. I think if I stared into his eyes long enough, I would be forced to live the rest of my days shrouded in a cloud of despair. Before any Purdue alums try to nitpick, yes, I do know that the Boilermaker Special, a train, is technically the school’s official mascot. As much as I enjoy the occasional locomotive, I refuse to rank an inanimate object alongside other mascots.
14. Willie the Wildcat (Northwestern)
Mary Grace Grabill | Northwestern Athletics
Unlike the last two, Willie’s appearance doesn’t make me want to avert my eyes in disgust. That’s a good start. However, he’s kind of bland and has hair that resembles former U.S. President Martin Van Buren’s. Additionally, he’s not even the only Wildcat named Willie. Northwestern failed to copyright its initial Willie the Wildcat logo after its inception in the 1940s and — as a result — Kansas State University adapted it and made the same mascot. They’re both ugly.
13. Joe and Josephine Bruin (UCLA)
UCLA Newsroom
This is the first of four schools with multiple mascots. For the purposes of my rankings, they will be ranked together, a decision that takes chemistry into account. Firstly, I’m shocked that Joe Bruin was the best name the school could come up with. I understand these two are beloved on the UCLA campus but, to be honest, they aren’t anything special. They’re two bears wearing shirts. I will say, Joe and Josephine’s romantic relationship offers a unique dynamic compared to other mascots on this list, but their compelling love story is not enough to move the needle in my rankings.
12. Herbie Husker and Lil’ Red (Nebraska)
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I’m not ashamed to say it, Lil’ Red has a special place in my heart. His jolliness is only rivaled by the mascot of casual dining tycoon Big Boy. Still, these two are incredibly strange. Herbie’s mug is upsetting to say the least. His dimples are somehow inverted? Additionally, there’s no world in which these two should be allowed in the same room. Unfortunately for Nebraska, that’s often the case. You may be noticing a trend at this point; human mascots aren’t easy to pull off.
11. Sir Henry the Scarlet Knight (Rutgers)
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Who would’ve guessed? Another human mascot. Sir Henry isn’t bad, but he isn’t great. I think Rutgers does a good job with accessories. He’ll sometimes wield a sword, an axe, a shield and even the occasional eye black for certain sporting events. However, the crux of human mascots is their expression. Sir Henry’s grin looks forced. It’s also unsettling when he’s smiling while the Scarlet Knights lose 56-10 to Oregon. I didn’t have to go there, but I did. I’m sorry Sir Henry, please don’t come after me.
10. Harry the Husky and Dubs (Washington)
Cecile Miller | Wikimedia Commons
I’ll admit it, I’ve let my emotions get the best of me. I’m not a fan of Harry the Husky. The costume is bushy, the proportions look slightly off and he weirdly seems shy. However, Dubs — that’s the real dog — is quite possibly the bestest boy in the world. I’m a dog person, ok, I’m going to like the dog. Therefore, I will give Washington’s furry friend duo a higher ranking than they probably deserve. Fire me.
9. Buckingham U. “Bucky” Badger (Wisconsin)
Focal Flame Photography/TNS
When I first started this list, I really thought Bucky would be much higher. I’ve always loved Wisconsin’s alternate logo of the iconic badger puffing out his chest in a pinstriped turtleneck. Unfortunately, when I began looking closer at his costume, I was rather disappointed. My biggest qualm is his proportions, which make him look awkward and wobbly. I’ll hazard a guess that a strong gust of wind could push Bucky over. Don’t get me wrong, I still like the fella. I’m a huge proponent of mascots with unique shirts that aren’t simply jerseys slapped on their chest. The turtleneck is a nice touch, and the badger is an awesome concept.
8. Hoosier the Bison (Indiana)
Trinity Mackenzie | IDS
It’s an impressive debut for the Big Ten’s newest mascot. Hoosier, the result of a movement to “bring back the bison,” has been a success so far. Ever since he parachuted from the sky before Indiana football’s season opener, the bison has been a welcome addition to the team's gameday festivities. He’s athletically built, the costume looks well-made and it's unique. With time, I could see Hoosier rising in the ranks, but for now, he sits in the middle of the pack — or herd, I guess.
7. Testudo the Diamondback Terrapin (Maryland)
Tribune News Service
This is possibly my most controversial opinion on this list. Testudo has stolen my heart. He’s one of the goofiest looking mascots I’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing and yet, I love him. The beak, the shell, his oversized feet, it’s a majestic symphony that pulls off an impossible task — making a costumed mascot of a turtle. He may not be as popular as some of the mascots ahead of him, but I’m a fan for life.
6. Herky the Hawk (Iowa)
Justin A. Torner | The University of Iowa
Herky has no shortage of personality. In 1997, the mean-mugging mascot threw a cup of water in the face of a Minnesota marching band drummer. The incident quickly escalated into a brawl, one that resulted in a broken hawkeye headpiece. While I don’t condone Herky’s violence, I do respect it. The school’s mascot brings a needed intensity to a fanbase known for its kindness.
5. Traveler and Tommy Trojan (USC)
Courtesy of Brett Padelford (left) and USC Trojan Marching Band (right)
There’s something special about live mascots. Traveler was introduced as USC’s official mascot in 1961 and since then, 10 different horses have filled the role. A live horse on a football field? It’s the type of pompous showmanship that harkens back to the Colosseum of ancient Rome — fitting for a team that plays in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. I also don’t mind Tommy Trojan, the alternate mascot used in place of Traveler at indoor events. He’s nowhere near as interesting as an actual horse, but he’s a mascot suitable for a gameday photo.
4. Goldy Gopher (Minnesota)
John Autey | Pioneer Press
I know, I know, I’ve been very transparent with my hatred toward jerseys on mascots. It’s a lazy workaround for creating a unique costume. I’m happy to say that’s my only complaint with Goldy Gopher. His design is amazing. Maybe it's because of my affection for the Disney characters Chip and Dale — who share a striking resemblance to Goldy — but I’m confident Goldy is among the conference’s best. His oversized head, his buckteeth, his ears, his tail, they all work. There’s a reason Goldy has won the mascot category at the College Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship four times.
3. The Oregon Duck (Oregon)
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Before I explain my reasoning, I need to clarify. The top three mascots in this list are not only the best in the Big Ten, but among the best of all mascot-kind. The Oregon Duck is an icon. His playful demeanor and immature antics have cemented him into the fabric of college football’s identity. Even so, I have a few complaints. For one, he’s just a copy of Donald Duck. If you don’t believe me, look it up. In 1973, Oregon reached a formal agreement with Disney to use the character’s likeness as its mascot. Secondly, he doesn’t have a real name. While “Puddles” is a nickname regularly attributed to the Oregon Duck, the school has refuted it as an official title on multiple occasions. Again, I appreciate the contributions this web-footed mascot has made for the world of costumed creatures, but the competition is elite at the top of my rankings.
2. Brutus the Buckeye (Ohio State)
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I was raised a Buckeye. There, I said it. My parents met in the Ohio State marching band, and a family friend was Brutus for a short time period. I can give you my word: those facts didn’t factor into this decision. Brutus is one of a kind. How on earth did a school whose team name is a tree nut manage to create one of the most personable and renowned mascots in the world? It seems impossible, but that’s exactly what Ohio State did. His scarlet and gray striped shirt is perfect, the towel is a subtle but recognizable ode to the program’s football prowess and the “block O” hat literally tops it all off. Thanks to Lee Corso and ESPN’s College GameDay, Brutus is a college football legend. Still, I think there’s one mascot in the Big Ten who’s got him beat.
1. Sparty (Michigan State)
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The first college football video game I owned was “NCAA Football 09” on the Nintendo Wii. To promote the series’ first release on the console, Electronic Arts — the game’s developer — held a competition that allowed fans to vote which mascot would be featured on the cover. Sparty won. Every time I reached into the drawer to pull out the game, he was there, looking right back at me. Maybe that’s it, maybe that’s why I made this list in the first place, maybe that’s the reason I’ve always been fascinated by mascots. Honestly, I don’t know. What I do know is that Sparty is the best mascot in the Big Ten. He’s everything you could possibly want. He’s larger than life, intimidating and has a great head-to-toe costume. When you think of Michigan State, you think of Sparty. Although others often say it, or I suppose act it out, only Sparty can live up to every mascot’s favorite hand gesture — he's number one.
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