Whether it be a lopsided triumph for Duke in front of an exuberant crowd at Cameron Indoor Stadium or a significant defeat for a small-conference team competing in one of the sport’s distant arenas, they will be present. In an age of widespread transfers and unparalleled roster changes that can leave fans confused about who represents their beloved team, mascots never enter the transfer portal.
Although the individual inside the costume may vary, the costumed representation of school spirit is always there patrolling the sidelines, engaging with supporters, and embodying the distinctive school spirit that makes college sports so genuine. Mascots are not merely plush opportunities for photos. They are iconic representations and a staple of college basketball.
While they all fundamentally fulfill the same role, none are precisely alike or based on apparent logic. Paydirt Pete at UTEP sports jeans and wields a pickaxe, which makes sense given UTEP is the Miners. However, then there’s the Stanford tree, which represents a school known as the Cardinal.
What constitutes a great college basketball mascot is a matter of discussion. For some, it might be the attire. For others, it could be the traditions or the connection to the school’s heritage. However, as with anything in sports, determining the best mascots is a topic open to debate.
For this week’s Dribble Handoff, our contributors are selecting the top mascots in college basketball.
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No discussion of college basketball’s finest mascots can begin without mentioning Hawk Hill — where «The Hawk Will Never Die» is the official motto linked to The Hawk, Saint Joseph’s big-eyed bird that notoriously never ceases flapping its wings from tip-off to the final buzzer.
Overtime games can prove particularly taxing.
I’ve watched it courtside at Hagan Arena and can’t possibly be the only one who has observed The Hawk up close and then arbitrarily decided to give flapping a try. Flap. Flap. Flap. There I was, smack in the middle of the game, flapping my ridiculous arms, at which point I quickly realized that two halves of a basketball game filled with nonstop flapping is no easy task. Only someone truly fit could handle it. I gave up after a few minutes because my arms were fatigued. Typing is significantly simpler. — Gary Parrish
Cosmo the Cougar (BYU)
We’re discussing mascots and not mere names, correct? Because those are two distinct concepts. While «Cougars» may not rank among the top monikers in college sports, BYU’s Cougar mascot is undeniably the best in the category. I don’t believe this can be debated. His name is Cosmo, and he’s likely a more skilled athlete than roughly 90% of the male college basketball demographic.
Oh, you don’t believe me?
Take a look at this highlight reel. The pushups with the folding tables. Seriously: WHAT???
The individual donned in the costume warrants at least $1 million in NIL. I’m not joking: This is the finest mascot, not just in college sports but across the entire nation. From jumping out of planes to trampoline stunts from the three-point line to launching himself through flames, Cosmo is unbeatable. My colleagues here have some solid nominations, yet they all pale in comparison to the wild Coug. The charm of college sports encompasses the characters and caricatures that are mascots, but let’s be honest: BYU’s big cat eclipses them all effortlessly. Here, check out some more outrageous feats. Then consider he’ll be pulling off new stunts as soon as this weekend and for the upcoming football and basketball seasons. — Matt Norlander
Label me a biased supporter if you like — I’ve earned it in this instance! — but Pistol Pete is a mascot that for me, as a lifelong Oklahoman, is synonymous with college sports. The Oklahoma State mascot is rooted in an actual figure, Frank B. Eaton, and I’ll let OSU narrate the backstory.
The character of OSU’s mascot, Pistol Pete, has its origins in a real individual named Frank B. Eaton. Eaton’s journey began in 1860 in Hartford, Connecticut. Eaton and his family relocated to Kansas shortly after the Civil War.
Eaton’s life would take a teeming turn at the age of eight when he witnessed his father’s murder at the hands of six vigilantes. From that moment on, Eaton committed himself to seek revenge. He honed his marksmanship until he was 15, when he set out to find and eliminate his father’s killers. It took Eaton over five years to track down and exact his vengeance on the men who had taken his father from him, forever altering the direction of his life.
The title of «cowboy» came organically to Eaton as evidenced by the roles he played throughout his life. Frank B. Eaton earned the nickname «Pistol Pete» after outshooting numerous cavalry competitors in a marksmanship competition at Ft. Gibson. He later served as a U.S. Deputy Marshall under «hanging judge» Isaac Parker. Later in life, Eaton owned a blacksmith shop that catered to the surrounding communities.
On game days at Oklahoma State, Pete’s booming gun triggers an «OHHHHHHHH-SSSSSSSSSSSS-UUUUUUUUUU! COWBOYS!» chant to rally Cowboy supporters. And his blank expression obscured behind his rugged five o’clock shadow creates a perfect balance of majesty and intrigue. He embodies both fear and inspiration — precisely what any team would desire from their mascot. — Kyle Boone
The Demon Deacon at Wake Forest stands as one of the few college mascots that instill genuine terror. He doesn’t wield an axe or firearm, nor does he have any claws or fangs. However, it is the lack of teeth that contributes to his unsettling aura. The elderly figure merely gazes blankly into your soul, causing you to nervously ponder, «what exactly is a demon deacon?»
According to lore, the nickname arose from a title given to Wake Forest’s football squad by a journalist following the school’s «devilish» victory over Duke in the 1920s. For an institution rooted in Baptist traditions, «deacon» pays homage to a church leader. Yet, a demonic version of a deacon presents an oxymoronic and chilling figure reminiscent of a horror film. The unsettling appearance of the Wake Forest mascot perfectly captures that duality. — David Cobb
The Blue Devil (Duke)
I chose the mascot that not only appears menacing and might possibly triumph in a confrontation with other mascots in college basketball, but is also an integral part of one of the sport’s most prominent brands. The Blue Devil is portrayed as a humanoid figure draped in a blue and white cape. The mascot typically adorns white tape across their forehead with various messages — depending on the match — inscribed on it.
The Blue Devil has been Duke’s mascot for over a century. The name originates from French troops during World War I, known as les Diables Bleus, who donned blue uniforms, berets, and flowing capes. There’s your history lesson for the day. Did I mention that the mascot looks impressive? — Cameron Salerno
