Mascots are half the reason we go to the games. These guys in disguise are surprisingly talented and keep us genuinely entertained. Get ready to cringe (or maybe even chuckle) as we reveal ten sports teams with the ugliest mascots. From bizarre creatures to questionable choices, these mascots might redefine the term “ugly.”
10.Nittany Lion at Penn State
Penn State University, located in State College, Pennsylvania, is home to one of history’s most successful college football programs. The Nittany Lion has been the university’s official mascot since 1907, with its origin story rooted in the local wildlife. The mountain lions that once roamed the nearby Nittany Mountains inspired the creation of the Nittany Lion mascot.
The Nittany Lion is often a symbol of strength, courage, and loyalty. He is a beloved figure among Penn State students, alums, and fans. The mascot can be seen at every Penn State football game, leading the team onto the field and rallying the crowd with its roar. It has also appeared at other university events, such as graduation ceremonies and charity events.
While some may find the Nittany Lion’s appearance cute or cartoonish, it has undergone several redesigns to make it appear more ferocious and athletic. The current iteration of the mascot features a muscular build, sharp claws, and an intense expression.
9.WuSchock at Wichita State
Wichita State University, home of the Shockers, has an unusual mascot known as WuShock. WuShock has been the official mascot of Wichita State since 1936. He has undergone several transformations over the years to reflect the changing times.
The current version of WuShock is a muscular, humanistic shock of wheat with bulging muscles, a furrowed brow, and an extreme glare. The wheat represents the agricultural roots of Kansas, and the name “Shockers” refers to the wheat harvesters who would “shock” the wheat into bundles.
While WuShock may not be the most attractive mascot, he has a unique charm that has won many fans over the years. WuShock is known for his high-energy antics, including acrobatic stunts and wild dance moves that get the crowd pumped up.
Despite its popularity, WuShock has had its fair share of controversy. In the early days, some people saw the mascot as a negative stereotype of rural Kansas, and there were even calls to replace it. However, WuShock has become a beloved symbol of the university and the state over time.
8.Hip Hop at Philadelphia 76ers
The Philadelphia 76ers are a professional basketball team that has been around since 1946. They have had several mascots over the years, but none have been as talked about as their current one, Hip Hop.
Hip Hop is a rabbit who wears a basketball jersey and is known for his breakdancing skills during halftime shows. However, despite his dance moves, Hip Hop has been ranked among the ugliest mascots in sports history.
Instead of being a powerful animal or a human-like character, the 76ers chose a rabbit. Hip Hop’s design is poorly executed, with a disproportionate head and body and a creepy smile resembling a grimace.
Interestingly, Hip Hop was not the original mascot for the 76ers. They had a bald eagle character named Big Shot, but he retired in 1996. The team then had a moose mascot named Phil E. Moose, who was also retired after a few seasons.
The team introduced Hip Hop in 1997, and he has been the mascot ever since. Despite his appearance, he has become a fan favorite due to his entertaining halftime shows and interactions with the crowd. He has also been featured on ESPN, The Today Show, and other national media outlets.
7.Squatch at Seattle Supersonics
The Seattle Supersonics were a professional basketball team based in Seattle, Washington. The team was founded in 1967 and remained in Seattle until 2008, when it relocated to Oklahoma City and became the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Supersonics were known for their iconic green and yellow color scheme, which Squatch, their mascot, proudly sports on his sloppy fur.
Squatch is based on the mythical creature Sasquatch, or Bigfoot. A Sasquatch is said to be a large, hairy, ape-like creature living in the Pacific Northwest’s forests. While Squatch may be a lovable version of this creature, he still has many less attractive traits, such as his wild eyes and oversized feet.
Despite his less-than-appealing appearance, Squatch has become a beloved figure among Seattle Supersonics fans. He has been the team’s official mascot since 1993. He has entertained fans with his energetic dance moves, silly antics, and playful personality. He’s even been known to dunk basketballs during halftime shows.
6.Friar Dom at Providence College
Providence College is a private Catholic liberal arts college in Rhode Island with a rich athletics history, especially basketball. However, their mascot, Friar Dom, is a large, bald friar with a bushy white beard, wearing a black robe and a large gold cross. While his robes and cross are typical of a friar’s attire, his large head and facial hair give him a somewhat menacing look.
Providence College’s original mascot was a mule named Betsy, who was brought to games to carry the team’s equipment. In 1947, a student dressed up as a friar for a game, and the crowd loved it. Since then, the friar has been the official mascot of the school.
Friar Dom has become a beloved figure among Providence College fans despite his appearance. He can often be seen leading the student section in cheers and hyping up the crowd during basketball games. Friar Dom represents the school’s religious values and commitment to service, reminding the school of its heritage.
5.Tree at Stanford University
Stanford University in Silicon Valley, California, has a rich history of academic excellence and athletic achievements. However, one aspect of Stanford is less than impressive: its mascot, the Stanford Tree.
The Stanford Tree is made of various shades of green fabric and features a large, goofy-looking tree face with a big nose and a crooked smile. The mascot has long, spindly arms and legs, making the wearer look more like a giant insect than a tree.
The original Stanford Tree was created in 1975 by a group of students who wanted to create a new mascot for the university. However, the university administration did not approve of the mascot. Consequently, the tree was banned from official events. Despite this, the students continued to dress up as the tree and attend sporting events, eventually gaining popularity among the community.
In 1981, the university finally recognized the Stanford Tree as an official mascot, but with a catch. The tree could not speak or interact with the crowd during games. This restriction has led to awkward moments during games, as the tree is often seen dancing and waving its arms in silence.
Despite its strange appearance and history, the Stanford Tree has become an iconic symbol of the university’s quirky and irreverent spirit.
4.King Cake Baby at New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans may be soaring high in the NBA, but their mascot, King Cake Baby, is not winning any beauty contests. The King Cake Baby’s origins come from the Mardi Gras tradition in New Orleans, where a small plastic baby is baked into a sweet cake. The person who finds the baby is said to have good luck, but in the case of the Pelicans’ mascot, it seems like the luck has run out.
The King Cake Baby debuted in 2014, and since then, it has caused quite a stir among fans and spectators. With its oversized head, beady eyes, and creepy smile, it’s no wonder why this mascot has been described as a nightmare-inducing creature.
To make matters worse, the King Cake Baby has a habit of pulling pranks on unsuspecting fans and players. In one instance, it snuck up behind a player and startled him, causing him to fall to the floor. Despite its unappealing appearance, the King Cake Baby has inspired a line of merchandise, including T-shirts, hats, and plush toys.
3.Boltman at San Diego Chargers
Boltman, the official mascot of the San Diego Chargers, is one of the ugliest sports mascots. This electrifying character with his oversized head and bolt-shaped antennas is a sight to behold, but not in a good way. Boltman combines a lightning bolt and a man, resulting in a horror that looks like a mad scientist pieced him together.
The San Diego Chargers, now the Los Angeles Chargers, is a professional American football team founded in 1960. The team has had several different logos and mascots over the years, but Boltman has been the most recognizable. The history of this peculiar mascot dates back to 1996, when Dan Jauregui, a die-hard Chargers fan, created the character to show his support for the team.
Boltman’s oversized head, shaped like a lightning bolt, is adorned with red and blue goggles and a menacing grin, making him look like a deranged superhero. The bolt-shaped antennas that protrude from his head make him look like a cyborg, adding to his overall appearance.
Despite his questionable looks, Boltman is at every home game, leading the charge and firing up the crowd. Boltman’s antics include dancing on the sidelines, performing backflips, and tossing T-shirts into the stands. His presence will surely make any Chargers fan feel the charge of electricity.
2.Blue Blob at Xavier University
Blue Blob is the official mascot of Xavier University, a private Catholic university in Cincinnati, Ohio. The university has a strong athletic program, with 18 varsity sports teams playing in the Big East Conference. However, its choice of mascot has been a topic of debate among sports fans.
The Blue Blob first appeared in 1985, and it was created by a graphic designer inspired by the school’s blue and white colors. The blob-like creature has no discernible features except for two bulging eyes and a wide, toothy grin. He resembles a cross between a blueberry and a monster from a horror movie.
The Blue Blob has become vital to Xavier University’s identity despite its looks. He can be seen at almost every sporting event, cheering on the Musketeers and entertaining the crowd. In fact, the Blue Blob has won several awards for its performances, including the 2007 Mascot National Championship.
1.Willie the Wave at Pepperdine University
Pepperdine University, located in Malibu, California, is a private Christian university that boasts breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for its mascot, Willie the Wave.
Willie is a blue wave with arms, legs, and a face. He looks like a bad children’s cartoon character, with bulging eyes and a cheesy grin. The mascot’s design is so poorly executed that it’s hard to take him seriously.
Despite his unattractive appearance, Willie the Wave has been Pepperdine University’s official mascot since 1945. The original mascot was a live pelican named “Captain Pelican.” In the 1940s, the university switched to a more traditional mascot. Choosing a wave as the new mascot was meant to honor the university’s location near the ocean.
Willie is known for his energetic dance moves and ability to pump up the crowd at Pepperdine sporting events. He is also a beloved figure on campus, with many students and alumni having fond memories of interacting with Willie.
