Mascot
A mascot is a person, animal, or inanimate object that represents an organization, often symbolizing good luck and fostering unity among members and supporters. The term originates from the French word "mascotte," meaning "lucky charm." Mascots are prevalent in various settings, including schools, professional sports teams, and military branches, where they serve to energize crowds and enhance the spirit of events. Historically, mascots date back to the Civil War era in the United States, with animals like dogs and eagles playing significant roles. College athletics popularized mascots further, with iconic examples such as the Princeton Tiger and the Penn State Nittany Lion emerging during this time.
Mascots are typically characterized by their high energy and ability to communicate through body language, as they do not speak. They often undergo auditions and rigorous training to prepare for their roles, which require endurance and enthusiasm. While many mascots are chosen for their competitive connotations, some selections reflect unique aspects of the institutions they represent. However, the use of mascots related to Native American culture has sparked considerable controversy, prompting discussions about the perpetuation of stereotypes and calls for change from various organizations and communities.
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Mascot
A mascot is a person, animal, or inanimate object that brings luck to the people who adopt it as a symbol of good fortune. The word mascot comes from the French word mascotte, which means "lucky charm." It is the symbol or the hallmark of an organization such as a school, professional sports team, organization, or even a branch of the military.
High schools, colleges, and professional sports teams use mascots to engage the crowd and create a sense of unity between players and fans at events. In the twenty-first century, most schools have a mascot. Many of them are well-known and easily recognized. Oftentimes, mascots train with the organization's cheer team and attempt to entertain and engage the crowd to heighten excitement and motivate the team to victory.
Brief History
Some of the first mascots in the United States were Civil War–era dogs. One popular one was Sallie, who recognized all her soldiers, in and out of uniform, and was known to tend and protect them both on and off the battlefield. Another Civil War mascot was Abe, a bald eagle, given to the Infantry unit by an Indigenous American man who wanted Abe to be taken to President Lincoln. Abe became a mascot during the Civil War and was recognized by many people around the country.
College athletics emerged after the Civil War, and college mascots gained popularity. Sports teams and fans often chose a predator as a mascot, hoping the image would strike fear in the hearts of their opponents.
Some of the first college mascots in the United States were the Princeton Tiger, the Yale Bulldog, and the Penn State Nittany Lion. The Penn State lion was introduced in 1904 when Penn State, who did not have a mascot at the time, was playing an away baseball game against the Princeton Tigers. Penn State third baseman Joe Mason decided his school needed a mascot, too. He drew inspiration from a large stuffed lion that was on display at the main building at Penn State and came up with a story about the Nittany Lion, a character named after Mount Nittany near Penn State's campus.
In 1899, the United States Army adopted the mule as its mascot, and the mascot for the United States Marines became the English bulldog in 1922.
Overview
The job of the team mascot is to bring fans together, energize the crowd, and be lively and fun. Mascots are usually high-energy, athletic, and outgoing. Since mascots do not talk and are expected to entertain fans for several hours, many mascots are animated and able to communicate many thoughts and feelings using body language and actions. Most mascots audition for their roles. Cheerleaders can help a mascot prepare since they usually interact with the mascots at events. Auditions may include acting out a skit and doing some improvisation. There may be several callbacks before the actual mascot, and sometimes alternates, is selected.
Once a person is selected to be the team mascot, they may practice wearing and moving around in the mascot costume, as well as rehearse being animated and enthusiastic. Many mascot costumes are both heavy and hot.
Mascots usually make a noticeable entrance at events. Flags, confetti, skipping, waving, or making large, loud steps are some ways mascots get fans to notice them when they enter an arena or stadium. They are dramatic, and their movements are exaggerated as much as possible. Mascots need high endurance levels so they do not run out of energy during a game. They must be in good physical condition and have the ability to maintain enthusiasm throughout an entire event.
Three of the most popular school mascots are eagles, bulldogs, and tigers, but there are all sorts of interesting and less widely recognizable team mascots. While many schools selected their mascots for their competitive spirits, others selected theirs for other reasons. For example, Temple University in Philadelphia selected the owl as its mascot because the school originated as a night school, with most of its students working during the day and taking classes at night.
Team names and mascots associated with the Indigenous American culture have sparked controversy. In 2005, the American Psychological Association (APA) determined that all Indigenous American mascots and personalities used by schools, colleges, and sports teams should be abandoned. The APA research found that the use of Indigenous American mascots perpetuates racial stereotypes of Indigenous peoples; negatively affects the self-esteem of Indigenous peoples, particularly children; and creates a divide between mainstream culture and the Indigenous population. Some mascots that have been accused of being offensive to the Indigenous community include the following:
Atlanta Braves (baseball team): This Major League Baseball (MLB) team used to showcase Chief Noc-A-Homa, a personality depicting an Indigenous American leader, as its mascot. In the mid-1980s, the chief was replaced by a large walking baseball named Homer the Brave.
Florida State Seminoles (college football team): This college's mascot, Chief Osceola, rides into Florida State's stadium in Indigenous American garb carrying a spear on a horse named Renegade. The college, however, was allowed to use the personality with the written permission of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. In 2005, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) required all schools with names or mascots that could be deemed offensive to the Indigenous American community to be abandoned. Florida State refers to the Seminole name and imagery as symbols rather than mascots. They do not use the Seminole for traditional mascot-related activities or cheerleading. In 2012, the university developed an anthropomorphic horse named Cimarron, to do these activities.
Cleveland Indians (baseball team): This MLB team's logo and mascot was the smiling Indigenous American caricature of Chief Wahoo. Even though the team shied away from the image in the contemporary era by replacing Chief Wahoo on its caps with a block letter C, they completely removed the image and changed their name to the Cleveland Guardians in 2021. A new personality, however, a furry creature named Slider, serves as the team's mascot at its events.
Washington Redskins (football team): Deemed one of the most offensive names and mascots to the Indigenous American community, the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL) had a red-skinned Indigenous chief as its mascot. Despite calls from human rights groups, media outlets, and prominent sports commentators to abandon the name and mascot, the owners of the team long refused to do so. However, in 2022, the team's name was changed to the Washington Commanders and Major Tuddy, an anthropomorphic pig wearing a combat helmet and Commander's uniform, became the team mascot.
Bibliography
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