March Madness: 16 NCAA Mascots Stealing the Spotlight
They dance, they charge, they occasionally crowd-surf—and no, we’re not talking about the starting lineup. NCAA mascots are in a league of their own. They are fierce, fantastically weird, and have backstories wilder than a triple-overtime finish. These 16 mascots are here to steal the show.
Leprechaun (Notre Dame)
Credit: Instagram
Notre Dame didn’t always roll with a feisty student in a green suit brandishing a shillelagh. Back in the day, their sideline swagger came courtesy of a dog—yes, a real Irish terrier named Clashmore Mike. But by 1965, the school traded paws for punchlines by handing mascot duties to a live-action Leprechaun.
Cosmo (BYU)
Credit: Instagram
If mascots had résumés, Cosmo’s would read like a Marvel audition. He’s a beat-dropping performer who’s basically part gymnast, part rock star. Since 1953, he’s been raising the bar for what it means to hype a crowd. With every perfectly-timed backflip and outrageous dance move, Cosmo turns game day into a show—and fans can’t get enough of the cougar!
Mr. Commodore (Vanderbilt)
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Mr. C struts through Vanderbilt’s sidelines like he owns the shipyard because, well, that’s kind of the vibe. This tricorn-hatted powerhouse is inspired by Cornelius Vanderbilt and his seafaring swagger. Since 1873, he’s been the face of the Commodore spirit, and after a bold 2007 glow-up, he’s turned into a full-blown sideline commander.
Handsome Dan (Yale)
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Back when top hats were trending, and football gear looked like street clothes, Yale decided its team needed some muscle—in bulldog form. In 1889, a student snagged the original Handsome Dan from a blacksmith for five bucks—and just like that, America’s first live college mascot was born.
Bucky (Wisconsin)
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He might rock a sweater now, but Bucky Badger’s roots are straight-up rugged. He earned his stripes the old-fashioned way: by digging through legend and a little local folklore. That gritty legacy stuck, and by 1940, Bucky was born on paper, then brought to life in 1949 by a student in costume.
Frankie the Friar (Saint Francis)
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Frankie, the Friar might wear a robe, but don’t let that fool you; this guy knows how to bring the noise. Since 1983, he’s been Saint Francis University’s high-octane energy who turned game days into spiritual experiences (with a lot more dancing). After a style revamp in 2009, Frankie returned with a bolder look and even more flair.
Truman the Tiger (Missouri)
Credit: Facebook
Truman the Tiger roars with legacy, swagger, and just the right amount of tailspin. He’s usually decked out in black and gold with a grin that could rally a stadium and has been charming the University of Missouri faithful since 1986. He’s also named after Missouri’s own Harry S. Truman, and his roots trace back to the “Fighting Tigers of Columbia.”
King Triton (UC San Diego)
Credit: Facebook
King Triton looks like he just swam straight out of a myth and into the middle of a pep rally—and that’s exactly the vibe UC San Diego was going for. He was chosen in 1964 to reflect the school’s coastal roots and deep ties to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
Big Al (Alabama)
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They say elephants never forget—and in Alabama, no one’s forgetting Big Al anytime soon. His roots trace back to 1930 when a sportswriter watched the Crimson Tide thunder down the field and dubbed them the “Red Elephants.” But it wasn’t until the 1980 Sugar Bowl that Big Al made his official debut while bringing trunk-loads of spirit with him.
Gael Force One (Saint Mary’s)
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At Saint Mary’s, when the game-day buzz kicks in, it’s Gael Force One who really sends the crowd into overdrive. He was introduced in the early 2000s and powered by a fan strapped to the person inside; since then, this inflatable icon has become a must-see at Gaels games.
Johnny Thunderbird (St. John’s)
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Before he ever led a chant or flapped a feather, Johnny Thunderbird had big shoes to fill and a whole new legacy to launch. When St. John’s University retired its old “Redmen” nickname in 1994, the Red Storm was born. But the storm needed a face, and in 2009, students made it official: Johnny Thunderbird.
Cocky (South Carolina)
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Cocky made his entrance like only a true Gamecock could—part swagger, part stand-up act, and all charm. He was born in 1980 as the “offspring” of the intimidating Big Spur (a mascot better suited for nightmares than high-fives). Cocky was the lighter, livelier take fans didn’t know they needed.
Bruiser and Marigold (Baylor)
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Bruiser didn’t always look the way Baylor fans know and love. In 1981, Baylor’s first bear appeared in a costume sponsored by Wendy’s and vanished like a combo meal special. A few redesigns later, Bruiser burst onto the scene in the 2000s and won over the crowds. Then, in 2017, Marigold joined the party, wearing yellow headbands.
Big Jay (Kansas)
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Big Jay comes with more bite than fluff. The name “Jayhawk” was born in the 1850s to symbolize free-state resistance. Cartoonist Henry Maloy sketched it into history in 1912, but it wasn’t until the ’60s that Big Jay strutted onto the scene. With Baby Jay in tow, he’s the feisty soul of KU pride—bold, bright, and impossible to ignore.
The Wildcat (Kentucky)
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Before Kentucky fans were shouting in sync with a giant Wildcat in blue and white, there was Fuzzy—a live bobcat caged near the sidelines in the 1920s. Jump to 1976, and Gary Tanner suited up as the first costumed Wildcat, kicking off a new era of school spirit. Afterward, Blue, the bobcat, carried the legacy of the Salato Center.
D’Artagnan and the Blue Blob (Xavier)
Credit: Facebook
At Xavier University, mascot duty is a buddy comedy in the making. First, there’s D’Artagnan—the suave, sword-swinging Musketeer who showed up in 1965 with epic hair and serious “All for one, one for all” energy. Then came the wild card: the Blue Blob. Since 1985, he’s danced, derped, and headlined ESPN spots—and together, they make Xavier’s sidelines unforgettable.