How Was The Mascot Of Oaland Chosen?

Oakland University’s first mascot was Pioneer Pete, which started in the 1950s as an aerospace pioneer. However, the image of the bear changed over time, and the mascot evolved into Stomper, the big and jolly elephant who roams the Coliseum during Oakland Athletics games. Stomper made his debut on April 2, 1997, during an A’s 5-4 victory over the Giants.

In 1997, Oakland University moved its athletics program from NCAA Division II to Division I and adopted the Golden Grizzlies nickname and the Grizz mascot. The origin of the elephant mascot dates back to 1902, when John McGraw held a news conference after he was set to leave his position as manager of the Baltimore Giants. The Giants played a role well before the two teams were cross-bay rivals.

In 1963, then-owner Charlie Finley changed the team mascot from an elephant to a mule, the state animal of Missouri. The seal, featuring the iconic “sail” design, was chosen after a failed attempt at a student-run contest. Both the deal and the motto were changed in 1998.

The use of an elephant to symbolize the Athletics dates back to the early years of the franchise, when a group of Philadelphia businessmen, headed by industrialist Charles O. Finley, adopted the “white elephant” as a symbol to refute and ridicule McCraw’s claims. The team eventually placed an “A” on the mascot to represent the university’s commitment to excellence and innovation.

In summary, Oakland University’s mascot and nickname have evolved over time, with the origins of the elephant and the use of the “white elephant” symbol to represent the university’s values and commitment to excellence.