Denim Millward
Sports Editor
For decades, mascots have been pumping up crowds, performing potentially dangerous stunts and wacky antics and utterly terrifying small children at sporting events. Their presence at collegiate sporting events is as expected as over-priced concessions and chest-painted teenagers.
Often overlooked, the mascot is an integral part of an athletic program’s identity and will forever be associated with the players who represent it on game day.
Among its fellow Big Sky competitors, the Idaho State “Bengal” nickname stands head and shoulders above all others.
While there are an astounding 35 universities that have christened their sports teams the Tigers, only three universities in Divisions I, II and III use the Bengal mascot: Idaho State, Buffalo State and Maine-Fort Kent. The Bengal is the most uncommon name and thus most unique name in the Big Sky, standing tall among blasé retreads such as “Bears,” “Eagles,” and the narcolepsy-inducing “Aggies.”
Uniqueness is only a portion of the equation that makes the Bengal nickname great. You could also say UC-Santa Cruz and Arkansas-Monticello have unique nicknames, but I for one would stop short of calling the Banana Slugs and the Boll Weevils great.
The Bengal is unique, but it is also beautiful and fierce, and will never elicit derisive cheers or snickers from the opposing team’s fans upon being introduced.
A brief perusal of the other team nicknames and mascots in the Big Sky proves my point much better than a humorous-yet-well-written article ever could. It wouldn’t surprise me if the motto of each team was something like what is listed in the following paragraph. (Editor’s note: I made these up myself, none of them are true.)
Eastern Washington University Eagles: “We ripped off Boise State’s different color turf idea, why didn’t we steal their mascot too? Red Broncos does have a nice ring to it.”
Montana Grizzlies: “If you play dead, we’ll probably ignore you and walk away!”
Montana State Bobcats: “We’re a cat just like the Bengals, only a lot smaller and less intimidating!”
North Dakota: “We’re the…..never mind. We couldn’t come up with anything.”
Sacramento State Hornets: “We may be easily dispatched with a can of Raid or a swatter, but if you’re allergic, you better watch out!”
Northern Arizona University Lumberjacks: “We’ll defeat you once we get done destroying the environment by clear-cutting yet another forest!” (Rumors continue to swirl that Northern Arizona will debut new helmet decal depicting a Lumberjack driving a Hummer H1 starting next season.)
University of Northern Colorado Bears: “We’re just like Montana, only even more boring and non-descript!”
Weber State University Wildcats: “Beware the seventh-most prominent team with the Wildcats nickname in the nation!”
Cal Poly Mustangs: “Most people think of the car when they hear “Mustang,” but a Mustang is actually a horse that is….where are you going? I wasn’t done explaining!”
Southern Utah University: “Most people think of the car when they hear “Thunderbird,” but….oh crap, Cal Poly stole our motto!”
Portland State Vikings: “We’re the Vikings, but only because ‘Seafaring North Germanic People’ wouldn’t fit on our jerseys.”
University of California-Davis Aggies: “Fun fact: In addition to referring to an agricultural worker, “Aggie” was also my great- grandma Agnes’s nickname!”
Last but certainly not least, the Bengal nickname reigns supreme in large part because of the actual Bengal mascot, Benny. Benny was crowned the National Champion in the 2013 U.S. College Championship Mascot Division on March 18, 2013. Benny performed a two-minute skit entitled “Name That Movie with Benny the Bengal,” impressing the judges so much with the performance, they declared Benny the top mascot in the nation. I’d like to see an Aggie or a Thunderbird try to top that!
Kidding and lighthearted mockery aside, the Bengal nickname is one Idaho State University athletes and students alike should feel proud to be associated with and represent. The illustrious history of the Bengal mascot only adds to its one-of-a-kind charm. Though wild Bengal tigers make their homes in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, an indelible link between the majestic animal and the gate city has been forged through Idaho State University.
