Giant banana slugs and Gorloks and penguins, oh my! Attend just about any sporting event and you’ll spot ‘em. We’re talking about those sometimes outrageous, sometimes ferocious, often goofy mascots and team names. In college, a time comes when the worries of the week are set aside to engage in a friendly battle of bragging rights and few take it more seriously than the mascots. A mascot is an identity, a source of entertainment, a rallying point. Mascots tell a lot about a certain college culture and values. It’s often these quirky characters, the unusual college mascots, which have the most fun. We’ve searched some college campuses and uncovered our favorite and most unique mascots around.

Beware of the fierce banana slug!
Campus: University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, Calif.
Mascot: Banana Slugs

Bright yellow, slimy, and tough, this shell-like mollusk is certainly unique, and is the proud mascot of University of

Tradition is hardly the word that comes to mind when describing UCSC’s student body, which prides itself among other things, on being iconoclastic and environmentally friendly. At one time, the university tried to adopt the sea lion as its official mascot, but the student body wouldn’t hear of it. In 1986 the students demanded that the banana slug, which frequents the redwood groves of the academe, get the nod as their official mascot. Thus, the banana slug has found its place in history as one of the most original and endearing collegiate mascots.

Goldy Gopher!
Campus: University of Minnesota
Mascot: Golden Gophers

With his big toothy grin and plush cheeks, Goldy Gopher looks like the embodiment of Minnesota nice. But behind that friendly smile is one serious sports fanatic.

Goldy is at every game, baring his buck teeth and rallying thousands of rabid Gopher fans into a frenzy as he chews through the rest of the Big Ten. Along the way, Goldy has become a Minnesota champion in his own right. He placed third in the national mascot championships this January, and last summer his furry comrades at mascot camp voted him the coolest in the NCAA.

“I’m a mascot with an attitude,” said Goldy, explaining his popularity.

Goldy, who looks like a mutant cross between a beaver and a squirrel, is a ladies man and has some of the best dance moves in the mascot world.

Goldy Gopher Facts
Jersey Size: XXL
Height: 6′2″
Weight: 200 pounds
Identifying characteristics: Buck teeth, a winning smile and a zippy electric scooter used to lead the Golden Gophers to victory.

The Geo-whats?
Campus: Evergreen State in Olimpia, Washington
Mascot: Geoducks pronounced “gooey-duck”

If the Geoduck is not a duck at all, you are probably scratching your head as to what this creature could possibly be. This pacific coast clam has found an important role as the symbol of athleticism for Evergreen State. The “King Clam,� as it’s also known, grows to epic size beneath the sand along the pacific coast. Lying around in the sand taking it easy, the Geoduck may live up to 100 years. As you may have guessed, Washington’s Evergreen State isn’t your typical institution of higher learning

Our Top 10 Wierdest Mascots:
1. Scottsdale Community College Artichokes
2. Charlotte 49ers
3. North Carolina Tar Heels
4. Purdue Boilermakers
5. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns
6. Dominican Penguins (think bird in a tux)
7. Ohio Wesleyan Battlin’ Bishops
8. Nebraska Cornhuskers
9. Syracuse Orange
10. UC Irvine Anteaters