Keeping It Heel
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March Madness: Ranking mascots in the East Region

By Brandon Griffin

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13. ROC the Panther (Pittsburgh)

Sep 5, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; The Pittsburgh Panthers mascot Roc poses during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Pitt won 30-20 over Boston College. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; The Pittsburgh Panthers mascot Roc poses during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Pitt won 30-20 over Boston College. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

ROC the Panther gets points for realism, ferociousness, and a cool nickname. The panther was named after former player and coach Steve “the Rock” Petro. His green eyes and sharp teeth definitely let people know he means business. But where is the fun in that? ROC does not seem like a fun cat and so he checks in at the bottom of this list.

12. Waldo the Wildcat (Weber State)

The Wildcat is by far the most used of all mascots in college sports and I am not sure why? There is not a single pro team that calls themselves by that nickname. However in the NCAA division I there are 10 teams that do. Weber State’s Mascot gets credit for a super cool nickname and his ability to surf (see video below), but can not rise above the averageness of its unoriginality.

11. Scratch and The Wildcat (Kentucky)

Mar 28, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kentucky Wildcats mascot Scratch performs against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the finals of the midwest regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Kentucky Wildcats mascot Scratch performs against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the finals of the midwest regional of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

So why does one wildcat get special treatment over the other? Well lets call it the talent factor. Kentucky is just a better team than Weber State. Of course in a Mascot rankings what does that have to do with anything? Fair Enough.

Kentucky also gets bonus points for coolness of costume. The Wildcat as you can see in the picture wears overalls with cool stripes and a headband. Weber State’s mascot is named Waldo and he doesn’t even have a stripped shirt which is Waldo trademark. Kentucky also gets points for adding a second, younger mascot named Scratch. Having two mascots allows for the two to play off each other as they do in the video below.

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