March Madness features unique mascots across tournaments

The NCAA men's and women's basketball tournaments are underway, and many fans are excited about the unique mascots that represent their schools. While the games are a big focus, the colorful characters bring their own fun to March Madness. One of the most well-known mascots is the bulldog, which is used by 15 NCAA Division I schools including Yale and Gonzaga. However, many other lovable mascots also stand out this year. Montana's mascot, Monte, made it into the Mascot Hall of Fame last June, becoming the only current FCS school mascot honored. Another interesting mascot is Sammy C. Hawk from UNC Wilmington. This mascot is known for its playful social media presence. Zippy the kangaroo is one of the few female mascots in Division I athletics and has been at her school since 1953. She has even signed a deal to raise awareness for mental health issues. UC San Diego is proudly featuring a new mascot this tournament, King Triton, who looks like a Greek demigod. The mascot has a trident and impressive facial hair. Meanwhile, Saint Mary's mascot is the Gael, inspired by the Irish heritage of its players. In the women's tournament, South Dakota State has a Jackrabbit mascot, which was named "Jack" in 2010 based on a popular vote. William & Mary is bringing its griffin mascot to play, described as a mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of an eagle. Finally, Fairfield University’s mascot, Lucas the Stag, has gained celebrity status over the years, even appearing in major events like a Mets game and an ESPN commercial.