<p>BrianSuperTramp:
Kender, not Kinder! I’m in no way kind. Quite the opposite if we’re being totally honest.</p>
<p>(In case it’s not obvious: I’m being silly about the typo :))</p>
<p>I can definitely see where one might misinterpret UCSC’s mascot. I also admit I’m very biased and very defensive (obviously) towards the banana slug and its origin ;). Since I’m very much not big on sports that emphasize winning over just enjoying oneself and doing one’s best, it’s obvious to see why I fully support the original message behind the banana slug and why I feel it is still an important symbol. Yeah, it deviates from what one would normally think of as a mascot, but there’s definitely a lot more to it when you look past the yellow, slimy exterior.</p>
<p>Also, I just noticed I forgot to add in an apology to my previous post that it came across I was trying to be condescending! I really was just asking a question and giving advice about research being more beneficial (Gunrock is another somewhat interesting one that better explains UCD’s Aggies versus Mustangs issue). I’m sorry I forgot to put that in!</p>
<p>@Hayward1991: If something was at the bottom of a native american totem pole, it was usually more revered and respected by the tribe, so technically you just complemented UCM ;)</p>
<p>I also like the UCSD mascot not just because its Triton son of Poseidon but also Ariel’s dad :D</p>
<p>You guys are all trippin balls. UCSC has the BEST mascot BECAUSE its a bannana slug. Why would anyone want a bannana slug as a mascot? Thats why its their mascot. Its original and sort of mocking the whole mascot nonsense. And thats why its the most awesome one. But I guess you zombies like the typical bear and tiger which is the mascot for every school in the world.</p>
<p>@twistnswif:The banana slug is the perfect mascot for UCSC! I think banana slugs are even common to find in Santa Cruz.
When I thought I was going to go to UCSC as a freshman, I was excited to become a banana slug!</p>
<p>Worst has to be SC or LA, a slug or a bear that can pass as the pedobear from far away. The best… decal wise would be Davis. But I’d have to say Oski because he’s been doing it the longest, haha.</p>
<p>I agree with some of the above posters: the Banana Slug is awesome! It’s definitely the most unique in the UC system, it actually represents something you can find on the campus (and perhaps something you can only find on that particular campus), and it symbolizes the students’ quirky movement against conformity! My second favorite would either be the Aggies (since it represents Davis’ culture well) or Merced’s Golden Bobcats (because I love cat mascots :p).</p>
<p>Worst has to be Santa Barbara Gauchos. And of course, Berkeley/UCLA/UCR’s bear mascots are uninspired.</p>
<p>In case anyone didn’t know this, despite its extinction in the early 1900s, the California Golden Bear is still California’s state animal so it’s kinda funny when people think UCB’s mascot is uninspired.</p>
<p>^I think everyone know that, but when people say it’s uninspired, they are almost definitely referring to the fact that there are so many colleges with the same mascot. If you say you’re a “bear for life” or something similar, it could link you with a host of different colleges. Unless you say you’re a “Golden Bear”, but most people don’t.</p>
<p>The only cool thing about the Cal bear is that it’s the California Bear. Other than that, it’s kinda lame. xD</p>
<p>I’d say that UCLA has the lamest mascot because it’s clearly a rip on UCB’s mascot, and yes it looks like pedobear. UCLA’s “logo” looks like it was stolen from a hospital in the 1980s too. Their cheerleaders are hot, though!</p>
<p>UCM isn’t that inspired, but bobcat sounds damn cool anyway. </p>
<p>UCD deserves an honorable mention for “worst mascot” only because it’s called an aggie but it’s a mustang - and there’s still random mentions of the old mascot being a cow. Someone really couldn’t make up their mind. It’s cool otherwise, but it’s confusing. >> </p>
<p>UCI’s should’ve been called the Aardvark. But then there’d have to be another UC with the ant as their mascot, and they’d end up in the usual stunts during halftime in sports events ;)</p>
<p>I’m not a fan of those UCI Anteaters…but it is interesting. On the other hand, how many UC’s have some kind of blue & gold color scheme for their school? Cal (OG), UCLA, Davis… gosh!</p>
<p>Lol no it’s not. When UCLA was created California intended to only have two UCs, Cal for the northern branch and UCLA for the southern branch (in fact UCLA used to be called UCSB for university of California southern branch). Bruins are supposed to signify an adolescent bear compared to Cal’s golden bear which symbolizes UCLA’s “youth” as a school compared to Cal. In order words, Cal is the older brother while UCLA is the younger brother which is why both schools share a brown bear as their mascot. Pretty inspiring if you ask me. </p>
<p>The big question here is why UCR has a bear as their mascot? That’s pretty embarrassing considering it’s the lowest ranked UC sharing the same mascot with the two top-tier UCs that actually have a story behind it lol.</p>
<p>Merced doesn’t use a bear, they have the bobcat, and a lot of UCB ‘blood’ was supposedly invested in UCM to make it successful (including the annoying semester system).</p>
<p>That said, UCD started as a branch of UCB No bear! lol.</p>
It’s definitely the most unique in the UC system, it actually represents something you can find on the campus (and perhaps something you can only find on that particular campus), and it symbolizes the students’ quirky movement against conformity! My second favorite would either be the Aggies (since it represents Davis’ culture well) or Merced’s Golden Bobcats (because I love cat mascots :p).</p>
No bear! lol.</p>