The Weirdest College Football Team Names

Historic Map : Albert Richard Pictorial Map of The United States College Football Teams,

 The Weirdest College Football Team Names

College football team names come from a variety of sources. Some teams are named after animals, such as the Tigers of Auburn University or the Bulldogs of the University of Georgia. Other teams are named after plants, such as the Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama or the Buckeyes of Ohio State University. Still, others are named after people, such as the Fighting Irish of the University of Notre Dame or the Rebels of the University of Mississippi.

Some team names are simply descriptive, such as the Golden Bears of the University of California, Berkeley. Others are more creative, such as the Blue Devils of Duke University or the Fighting Scots of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

No matter how they came about, college football team names are an important part of the sport's culture. They help to create a sense of identity for each team and its fans.

Here are some of the weirdest college football team names.

• The Blue Hose of Presbyterian College - The Blue Hose of Presbyterian College got their name from the socks that the football team wore in the early days of the twentieth century. The team's nickname was originally "Blue Stockings," but it was shortened to "Blue Hose" in the 1950s. The name "Blue Hose" has since become the official school nickname. 

• The Syrupmakers of Cairo High School - Cairo High School got its nickname from the city of Cairo, Georgia, which is known as the "Syrup City" because of its history of producing syrup. The school's mascot is a syrup pitcher, and the team colors are black and red.

• The Shockers of Wichita State University - The Shockers of Wichita State University got their name from the fact that many of the early students at the school earned money by "shocking," or harvesting, wheat in the nearby fields. The name was originally used for the football team, but it eventually became the name for all of the school's athletic teams.

The name is a reference to the fact that wheat is harvested by shocking it, which involves bundling the stalks of wheat together and then beating them with sticks to separate the grain from the stalks. The name is also a reference to the fact that Wichita State is located in the heart of the wheat belt.

• The Zips of The University of Akron - The Zips of The University of Akron got their name from the fact that Akron was a major center for the production of rubber products, including zippers. The name was originally suggested by a student in a campus-wide contest to choose a nickname for the university's athletic teams. The winner received a prize of $10.

• The Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky University - The Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky University got their name because the school's campus sits atop a hill 232 feet above the Barren River flowing through WKU's home city of Bowling Green. The name was chosen in 1911 when the school moved to its current location.

• The Banana Slugs of the University of California, Santa Cruz - The Banana Slugs of the University of California, Santa Cruz got their name from the banana slug, a common slug found in the Santa Cruz area. The banana slug is a slow-moving, slimy creature that is often seen in gardens and on hiking trails. The name was chosen in 1970 by a volleyball team member who wanted to give the team a unique name. The name was originally met with some resistance, but it has since become a popular mascot for the university.

• The Big Red of Western Kentucky University - Big Red, the mascot of Western Kentucky University, got its name from the school's colors, red and white. The name was chosen in 1979 by a student committee that was tasked with finding a new mascot for the university. The committee wanted a name that would be unique and memorable, and they felt that Big Red fit the bill.

Big Red is a large, furry creature that is often seen cheering on the Hilltoppers at sporting events. The mascot is also a popular figure on campus, and it is often seen at student activities and events.

• The Boilermakers of Purdue University - The Boilermakers of Purdue University got their name from the fact that the university was once a major center for the production of steam engines. The name was originally suggested by a student in a campus-wide contest to choose a nickname for the university's athletic teams. The winner received a prize of $10.

The name Boilermakers is a reference to the fact that steam engines are made by boilermakers, who are skilled workers who specialize in the construction and repair of boilers. The name is also a reference to the fact that Purdue is a land-grant institution, which means that it was founded by the federal government to provide education in the mechanical and agricultural arts.

• The Fighting Sycamores of Indiana State University - The Fighting Sycamores of Indiana State University got their name from the American Sycamore tree, which is the state tree of Indiana. The tree is known for its large, fan-shaped leaves and its ability to grow in a variety of climates. The name was chosen in 1939 by a student committee that was tasked with finding a new nickname for the university's athletic teams. The committee wanted a name that would be unique and memorable, and they felt that Fighting Sycamores fit the bill.

The Sycamore tree is a symbol of strength and resilience, and it is a fitting name for the university's athletic teams. The Sycamores have a long history of success in athletics, and they are known for their never-say-die attitude.

• Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys and Golden Suns: The Wonder Boys were originally called the Golden Suns, but the name was changed in the 1920s to reflect the team's hard-playing style.

• Campbell Fighting Camels : The Fighting Camels were originally called the Camels, but the name was changed in the 1920s to reflect the team's aggressive playing style.

• Centenary College Ladies and Gentlemen : The Ladies and Gentlemen were originally called the Ladies, but the name was changed in the 1970s to reflect the school's coeducational status.

• Fort Wayne Mastodons : The Mastodons were originally called the Fort Wayne Kekiongas, which was a Native American word for "big animal."

• Missouri-Kansas City Kangaroos : The Kangaroos were originally called the Kangaroos, but the name was changed in the 1980s to reflect the school's new location in Kansas City.

Other unusual college football team names include the Wichita State Shockers , the Ohio Wesleyan Battlin' Bishops , and the Rhode Island School of Design Nads.

These names are all unique and creative, and they certainly help to add some personality to each team.