(08-15-2013 12:51 PM)MechaKnight Wrote: I love my school because of the experiences I had there, but I'm not crazy about our name or mascot. We're the only FBS school in Florida whose mascot has absolutely nothing to do with the state of Florida.
We were originally the Florida Tech Citronaughts. While the Citronaught is kind of dumb too, at least it was unique. If I could re-write history I would have kept the Florida Tech name and chosen the Conquistador as our mascot. It's still kind of like a Knight, but it would be unique and would draw on Florida's history as a Spanish colony.
I went to high school in Key West. We were the Fighting Conchs. I always loved that mascot and it's very appropriate for a school in the Keys.
Blame the student contest in the early 70s. The other top pick was to become the Vultures. That would have been weird.
After Gators, Seminoles and Hurricanes... not a whole lot left to identify with as a State program.
What do Bulls have to do with "South" Florida in Tampa, Fla?
Panthers is another one that could have been used. NHL hockey team uses it, FIU and FIT both use it as well. So that's over played.
FAU's owl, I was once told is a reference to the burrowing owl which is indigenous to Florida. So... kinda gay but I guess that works.
UNF uses an Osprey.... which is kinda funny
Worst State mascot IMO goes to the UWF Argonauts (which is kind of a play on Citronauts)
State linkage is kind of moot after a certain point.
My personal opinion would have been to keep the Florida Tech name and become...
Florida Tech Titans