In the United States, most universities and colleges that sponsor athletics programs have adopted an official nickname for its associated teams. Often, these nicknames have changed for any number of reasons, which might include a change in the name of the school itself, a term becoming dated or otherwise changing meaning, or changes in racial perceptions and sensitivities. In the case of the latter, many schools have recently deprecated nicknames that some might consider offensive to American Indians, a group that has been a traditional inspiration for athletic teams.
Changes Adams State Grizzlies, adopted in the spring of 1996; known the "Indians" from the mid-1920s until November 1995 Akron Zips, called the "Zippers" from 1927 to 1950; this was changed when the term became most associated with the type of clothing fastener.ESPN College Football Encyclopedia, p. 74, New York: ESPN Books, 2005, . Alabama–Huntsville Chargers, changed from "Uhlan Chargers" to "Chargers" over timeOrigin story: How UAH got its nickname and colors, University of Alabama Huntsville, August 1, 2014., Alaska Nanooks, changed from the "Polar Bears" to "Nanooks" (the Inupiaq word for polar bear) in 1963.Nanooks Quick Facts, University of Alaska Fairbanks, September 1, 2009. Alvernia Golden Wolves, changed from "Crusaders" ahead of the 2017–18 season Amherst Mammoths, adopted in 2017 after "Lord Jeffs" was dropped in 2016 Arizona State Sun Devils, formerly the "Owls", then the "Bulldogs" from 1922 to 1946ESPN, p. 96. Arkansas Razorbacks, changed from the "Cardinals" in 1909.ESPN, p. 105. Arkansas State Red Wolves, formerly the "Indians" (1931–2008), "Warriors" (1930–1931), "Gorillas" (1925–1930), and "Aggies" (1911–1925).ESPN, p. 114. Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys — Originally nicknamed "Aggies"; the term "Wonder Boys" was first attached to the school's football team in an Arkansas Gazette story on November 17, 1920, and was soon officially adopted. The women's nickname of "Golden Suns" was adopted once Tech added women's sports. Army Black Knights, the current nickname was derived from newspapers calling the team the "Black Knights of the Hudson" in the 1930s. It was changed from the "Cadets" in 1999. Cadets is still considered an acceptable use, however.ESPN, p. 120. Auburn–Montgomery Warhawks — Changed from "Senators" in 2011. Ball State Cardinals, changed from the "Hoosieroons" in 1929.ESPN, p. 138. Baruch Bearcats, changed from the "Statesmen" in 2002. Belmont Bruins, changed from "Rebels" in 1995 Beloit Buccaneers, adopted in 1949; formerly the "Gold" from 1889 and then the "Blue Devils" from the mid-1920s Bethel Threshers, changed from "Graymaroons" in 1960 Binghamton Bearcats, changed from "Colonials" in 1999. Bloomsburg Huskies, adopted "Huskies" in 1933; previously known as the "Maroon and Gold" Bowling Green Falcons, changed from the "Normals" in 1927.ESPN, p. 168. Bradley Braves, changed from "Indians" in the 1930s Brewton–Parker Barons, formerly the "Wildcats" Brooklyn Bulldogs, known as the "Kingsmen" from 1932 to 1994 and then the "Bridges" until 2010 Brown Bears, Senator Theodore F. Green suggested the nickname "Bears" in 1904,ESPN, p. 1038. but the unofficial nickname "Bruins" became more prevalent starting in the 1930s.Gordon M. Morton III, Brown University Athletics: From the Bruins to the Bears, p. 21, Arcadia Publishing, 2003, . It was formerly used interchangeably with the official nickname, although some media disused "Bruins" after a minor league hockey team, the Providence Bruins, was established nearby in 1992., Providence Journal, April 13, 1995. Buffalo Bulls, formerly known as the "Bisons" (1915–1930), changed to distinguish from the city of Buffalo's identically named professional teams.ESPN, 184. Butler Bulldogs — First known as "Christians", alluding to the school's original name of North Western Christian University (though it had become Butler University in 1877, before the school had an athletic program). The "Bulldogs" nickname was first used in 1919 by a cartoonist for Butler's student newspaper, and was soon officially adopted. Cal State Los Angeles Golden Eagles, changed from "Diablos" in January 1981 Campbell Fighting Camels — Officially adopted near the start of 1934; originated from a misunderstood conversation early in the 20th century between university founder James Archibald Campbell and a visitor trying to encourage him after a fire destroyed almost all of the school's original buildings. Before the official adoption of "Camels" (with "Fighting" added later), "Hornets", "Campbells", and "Campbellites" were variously used. Capital Comets, changed from the "Crusaders" in 2021; formerly the "Fighting Lutherans" Carthage Firebirds — Known as "Redmen" before 2005; changed to "Red Men" and "Lady Reds" due to the NCAA's ruling on Native American-related nicknames. These nicknames were retired after the 2019–20 school year; the current nickname of "Firebirds" was adopted for all teams in February 2021. Case Western Reserve Spartans, formed from the combination of Western Reserve and Case Institute of Technology. Western Reserve's nicknames were the Pioneers (1921–1927) and Red Cats (1928–1971). Case Institute of Technology's nicknames were the Scientists (1918–1938) and Rough Riders (1930–1971). In the 1930s, both of those names were used. Central Michigan Chippewas, formerly the "Bearcats" (1927–1942), "Dragons" (1925–1927), and the "Normalites" (until 1925). The current name was chosen in honor of the local Saginaw tribe, and has remained in use with the tribe's consent.ESPN, 202. Chowan Hawks, reverted from "Braves" in 2006 Coe Kohawks, adopted in 1922; previously known as the "Crimson" and the "Warriors" Colgate Raiders, changed from "Red Raiders" in 2001 Colorado Buffaloes, changed from the "Silver and Gold" in 1934. They had also been known informally as the "Arapahoes", "Big Horns", "Frontiersmen", "Grizzlies", "Hornets", "Yellow Jackets", and (the football team) "Silver Helmets".ESPN, p. 229. CSU–Pueblo ThunderWolves, changed from the "Indians" in 1995. The school name was changed from University of Southern Colorado in 2003.The Birth of the ThunderWolf, Colorado State University at Pueblo, retrieved June 28, 2009. Cumberland Phoenix, changed from Bulldogs in 2016 Cumberlands Patriots, changed from the Cumberland "Indians" (note the singular "Cumberland") in 2002, when the school was known as Cumberland College. The school adopted its current name of the University of the Cumberlands in 2005. Dartmouth Big Green, formerly "Indians" which was disused since the 1970s in favor of an existing nickname, "Big Green". Davis & Elkins Senators, formerly the "Scarlet Hurricane" Detroit Mercy Titans, originally the "Tigers"; changed in 1919 or 1924, depending on the source. The school was then known as the University of Detroit, and the change was presumably made to avoid confusion with Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers. While the school became the University of Detroit Mercy after a 1990 merger, the "Mercy" name was not added to the athletic branding until 2017. Dickinson Red Devils, adopted the "Red Devils" nickname in 1930 after they were dubbed such by a writer from the Public Ledger; Dickinson was previously known as the "Red and White". Dickinson State Blue Hawks, changed from "Savages" in 1972 D'Youville Saints, changed from "Spartans" in 2020 East Carolina Pirates, changed from the "Teachers" in 1934.ESPN, p. 258. Eastern Michigan Eagles, changed from the "Hurons" (1929–1991) due to pressure from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights; the teams had previously been known as the "Normalites" and the "Men from Ypsi".ESPN, p. 265. Eastern Nazarene Lions, changed from the "Crusaders" in 2009 Eastern Washington Eagles, changed from "Savages" in 1973 Elizabeth City State Vikings, changed from "Pirates" in 1963 Elon Phoenix, formerly the "Fighting Christians" until 2000 Emory and Henry Wasps, adopted in 1921, formerly "Wildcats", "Jackrabbits", and "Whitetoppers" Evangel Valor, changed from "Crusaders" in 2021 FIU Panthers, changed from "Sunblazers" to "Golden Panthers" in 1987ESPN, p. 287. and "Panthers" in 2010. Furman Paladins, football team changed from "Hurricane" in 1961, baseball team changed from "Hornets" in 1961, basketball team has been "Paladins" all along. George Washington Revolutionaries, changed from "Hatchetites" in 1928 and from "Colonials" in 2023 Georgia Southern Eagles, formerly the Blue Tide (1924–1941) and Professors (1941–1959) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, "Yellowjackets" (as one word) first came into use after it appeared in the Atlanta Constitution in 1905; other nicknames included "Techs" (discontinued c. 1910), "Engineers", "Blacksmiths" (1902–1904), and "Golden Tornado" (1917–1929)Georgia Tech Traditions , Georgia Institute of Technology, retrieved August 15, 2010. Hampton Pirates and Lady Pirates, known as the "Seasiders" from 1916 to 1932 Hanover Panthers, formerly the "Hilltoppers" Hawaii Rainbow Warriors and Rainbow Wahine, known as "Fighting Deans" before 1923; the school's nickname was "Rainbows" from 1923 through 2000,ESPN, p. 326. when the university allowed all of its athletic teams to adopt their own individual nicknames: the baseball team retained the "Rainbows" nickname; the men's basketball, swimming and diving, and tennis teams adopted "Rainbow Warriors"; the football, men's golf, and men's volleyball teams adopted "Warriors"; and all women's teams adopted the nickname "Rainbow Wahine". In 2013, the university announced that all men's teams would become "Rainbow Warriors" effective with the start of the 2013–14 school year. In one more recently added women's sport, beach volleyball, the official nickname remains "Rainbow Wahine", but that team has mostly deprecated it in favor of "SandBows". Hawaii Pacific Sharks, changed from "Sea Warriors" in 2014 Hillsdale Chargers, changed from "Dales" in 1968 Hofstra Pride, formerly the "Flying Dutchmen" Huron Screaming Eagles, known as the "Scalpers", which was unofficially dropped in 1973; the "Tribe" then came into usage, was officially adopted in 1975, and remained until about 1997 Husson Eagles, formerly the "Braves" Ithaca Bombers, formerly the "Blue Team", "Blues", "Blue and Gold", "Collegians" and "Seneca Streeters." The name was changed to the "Cayugas" by a student vote in 1937. The origin of the nickname "Bombers" is unclear, but the first known reference was in a December 17, 1938 issue of the Rochester Times-Union article on the basketball team. Some faculty have expressed reservations of the current nickname's martial connotations.Stories swirl around about Mascots, Ithaca College, December 7, 2000. IUP Crimson Hawks, changed from the "Indians" in 2006; "Indians" nickname was coined in 1930 by a sports writer for the Indiana Gazette Iowa State Cyclones, changed from "Cardinals" in 1895ESPN, p. 373. Jacksonville State Gamecocks – When the school was known as Jacksonville State Normal School, the nickname was Eagle Owls. In 1946, by which time the school had become Jacksonville State Teachers College, a group of fans wanted a mascot more emblematic of Southern American culture. Another group of fans supposedly wanted a change in school colors from the original blue and gold. According to local lore, both camps got their wish; Jacksonville State's nickname became Gamecocks in 1947, with teams wearing the red and white still in use today. Johnson Royals, changed from the "Preachers" and "Lady Evangels" to the "Royals" in 2013, Johnson University, October 18, 2013. Juniata Eagles, changed from "Indians" in 1994