May 17, 2004
Awards and Honors
Readers Digest names UCSC Banana Slug top college
mascot
UCSCs diminutive Banana Slug is basking in the glory of a new
honor following its selection as Best Mascot by Readers Digest
magazine.
The
May issue of the magazine noted that the Philly Phanatic has a devoted
following, and has been called the funniest team creature out
there.
But for reminding fans that games are supposed to be fun, nothing
beats the Banana Slug of the University of California, Santa Cruz,
the article said. In 1965, students chose the bright yellow mollusk,
native to the region, to protest the fierce athletic competition at
Americas colleges. Win or lose, you still gotta laugh.
The mascot ranking was part of the magazines Americas 100
Best, featuring everything from cookies to comedians. But
this is far more than just a listit celebrates our country and
our lives, editor-in-chief Jacqueline Leo wrote to UCSC Athletic
Director Greg Harshaw in a letter accompanying the Best of America
certificate.
The Readers Digest honor is not the first for the Banana
Slug, which has inched to the top of various college mascot competitions
over the years.
For more information on the award-winning mollusk, see How
the Banana Slug became UCSC's official mascot
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