March Madness

What is Western Kentucky's Big Red? Explaining these 2024 men's March Madness mascots

The 2024 men's NCAA Tournament has some unique mascots taking the court.

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Sometimes March Madness can extend beyond the action on the court.

While certain programs may have mascots named after common animals like a Clemson Tiger or a Kentucky Wildcat, others can be more unique.

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Take Western Kentucky's Big Red for example. The school's team name may be the Hilltoppers, but the mascot is actually a literal big red blob.

But the Hilltoppers aren't the only team entering the 2024 men's NCAA Tournament with a distinct mascot. Let's a take look at some of the most intriguing this year:

Akron Zips

No. 14 Akron has a kangeroo named "Zippy" as its mascot. Zippy, a female kangaroo, was first seen in 1953 after a committee decided the school should have a mascot. The school's nickname is a shortening of "Zippers," which is based off a popular rubber shoe sold by Akron's B.F. Goodrich Co.

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 17: The mascots of the UCLA Bruins and the Akron Zips dance during the first round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 17, 2022 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 17: The mascots of the UCLA Bruins and the Akron Zips dance during the first round game of the 2022 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Moda Center on March 17, 2022, in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Grand Canyon Lopes

No. 12 Grand Canyon is represented by "Thunder" the antelope. Students first chose the antelope to be the school mascot in 1949, when the university first opened. But the antelope didn't become the school's mascot until 1981. A furry, purple blob known as the "Purple People Eater" took the court first. Thunder became the official mascot's name in 2008.

DENVER, CO - MARCH 17: The Grand Canyon Antelopes mascot and band cheer before the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first round of the 2023 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Ball Arena on March 17, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - MARCH 17: The Grand Canyon Antelopes mascot and band cheer before the game against the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the first round of the 2023 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament held at Ball Arena on March 17, 2023, in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Longwood Lancers

No. 16 Longwood is represented by "Elwood" the horse. Elwood became the school's mascot in 2011 after a vote was held by several members of the school, including alumni. The school's logo is a horse's head on top of a lance, hence the connection.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 05:  The Longwood Lancers mascot on the floor before the semifinals of the Hercules Tires Big South Conference basketball tournament against the USC Upstate Spartans at the Bojangles Coliseum on March 5, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina.  (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MARCH 05: The Longwood Lancers mascot on the floor before the semifinals of the Hercules Tires Big South Conference basketball tournament against the USC Upstate Spartans at the Bojangles Coliseum on March 5, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)

Long Beach State "Beach"

No. 15 Long Beach State in 2019 had a student-led process that saw "Prospector Pete," the mascot since 1949, be replaced in a new vote. "Elbee" the shark was unveiled in 2020, though the team's official name isn't the Sharks. Apart from the baseball team being named the Dirtbags, all other LBSU teams are simply known as "The Beach."

Stetson Hatters

No. 16 Stetson is named the Hatters but is represented by a human mascot named "John B." The name derives from John B. Stetson, a well-known Stetson hat maker who the school became named after in the late 1800s. In 2021, John B., typically resembling a leprechaun-esque mad hatter, was given a makeover to be more slim and muscular compared to previous versions. The change was made to reflect the school's rebuilding efforts. Stetson is now making its first appearance in the Big Dance.

Vermont Catamounts

No. 13 Vermont is represented by the Catamounts, which is a type of cougar. Its origins date back to 1926 when a vote was held by the school. The catamount, a mountain cat found in Vermont's Green Mountains range, is believed to be extinct in the state since 2018. That hasn't stopped the school from changing its name.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

No. 15 Western Kentucky is named the Hilltoppers in men's basketball and is represented by a mascot named "Big Red." Big Red was created -- and debuted -- in 1979 after WKU student Ralph Carey volunteered to create a unique mascot. Carey, according to the school's website, created Big Red based off amusement park characters and even donned the suit himself in 1979-80.

Western Kentucky
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HUNTSVILLE, AL - MARCH 16: W mascot Big Red during the Conference USA Men's Championship game between the UTEP Miners and the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers on March 16, 2024, at Propst Arena in Huntsville, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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