ANN ARBOR, MI – Mascots are part of college football lore, from the Notre Dame Leprechaun to the Stanford Tree to Michigan State’s Sparty. Among the most iconic mascots is Brutus Buckeye, an anthropomorphic nut from Ohio’s state tree. Brutus has roamed Ohio State’s sideline since 1965, turning from little more than a giant head with legs to a full-sized human with a giant head. Michigan, meanwhile, has resisted the mascot craze for the better part of the program’s 144-year history. There have been a number of unofficial mascots in Wolverine history, from live animals to student-run efforts. But the lack of someone in a kid-friendly costume on football Saturdays is part of Michigan’s tradition, said Greg Dooley, who teaches a University of Michigan course on its athletics history. “I make a list of traditions (and) the only thing (regarding mascots) that’s on there is the fact that we don’t…
Continue Reading: Michigan, Ohio State rivalry: One mascot is iconic, while the other is non-existent
