We are, and will be, the Tribe.
March 1, 2009 by wmmascot
We’re searching for a new mascot, but our nickname won’t change. We are the Tribe.
Think the Tribe nickname will limit our options? Never fear – there are many examples of great nicknames paired with dissimilar mascots:
- The UNC mascot is a Ram and their nickname is the Tarheels.
- The University of Miami mascot is an Ibis and their nickname is the Hurricanes.
- Navy’s mascot is a Goat and their nickname is the Midshipmen.
So no limits. Perhaps, compared to some, Tribe is easy – consider the Roanoke College Maroons. What’s a maroon? What goes with Maroons? Yeah, that’ll be one to watch.
- Susan T. Evans
4 Responses to “We are, and will be, the Tribe.”
Given the name of our College, a pair of mascots, the Royals known as William and Mary, would not be amiss.
I actually wish the nickname were the Royals, since the college is actually the only one with a Royal Charter in the US.
For those uncomfortable with glorifying the idea of royalty, I recommend transferring (or transferring allegiance) to James Madison or George Mason or George Washington or Thomas Jefferson (Philadelphia) or some other less-royally named college or university.
If we are going to use an animal, it would be preferable to use one that isn’t used by a ton of other colleges. Some people have brought up the idea of a phoenix, which could possibly work. Elon and Univ. of Chicago use that mascot. The Griffin is a pretty awesome mythological creature as well and looks really fierce. It would look good on merchandise. Another idea could be Jefferson the Jaguar. I wonder how TJ would feel about that?
glad to hear this, because a) i think Tribe is a fine nickname, and b) if omitting the feathers caused so much upset, why trouble the waters further?
additionally: changing the Tribe (or even the colors, as some previously suggested) would be a massive re-branding. think of all the athletic uniforms, merchandise, signage, letterhead, business cards, the website, even interior decoration that would change!
i’m glad none of that is on the table for debate.
that said, in addition to the Phoenixes, i will add my vote for Mr. Broaddus’s “Revolutions” (see http://tinyurl.com/wmrev). “The Royals” has promise too.
as for the feathers, yes, it may be ridiculous and unfair, but every other school in the country has an Indian mascot. surely we can get a bit more creative than that (not to mention, every FSU Seminole game i ever attended had a large contingent of Native American protesters out front). i don’t think we should be spending our time, money, and resources fighting the NCAA for a set of feathers. onward, right?
thanks to the committee, by the way, for setting up this blog. it’s been interesting reading!
I think Barrett makes a great point regarding the feathers. Onward, indeed.
I absolutely love Dean Broaddus’s idea of the William and Mary Revolution. Check it out and join the revolution via facebook if you like what you see.
Also, as the William & Mary Tribe, I like the idea of having King William and Queen Mary as our mascots. If the nickname “Tribe” is so revered by the college community, I say we go with it and bring the focus on William & Mary.