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Zippy (mascot)
Encyclopedia
Zippy is the mascot of the University of Akron
athletics team. Zippy is a kangaroo
, and was chosen by a committee in 1953.
The school's nickname, "Zips," is a shortening of "Zippers," a pair of rubber overshoes and a brand name of the BF Goodrich Company of Akron
. It was originally adopted by the school in 1925 after a contest to give the school a nickname. Interestingly, "Kangaroos" was one of the choices at the time. In 1950, the current nickname was adopted because of the rising popularity of zippers in use on pants. Three years later, a committee suggested the kangaroo as a mascot, and it was accepted by the student council on May 1, 1953. Originally, it was met with derision, as it was not put to a campuswide vote. However, over time, Zippy has become a fan favorite at the school.
"Zippy" has always been a costumed mascot, and currently wears a blue letter-sweater and a gold-and-blue rat cap.
In 2007 Zippy was chosen as one of twelve collegiate mascots to compete for Capital One Bowl
mascot of the year. With an unprecedented 13–0 record, Zippy was named the winner on January 1, 2008
University of Akron
The University of Akron is a coeducational public research university located in Akron, Ohio, United States. The university is part of the University System of Ohio. It was founded in 1870 as a small college affiliated with the Universalist Church. In 1913 ownership was transferred to the City of...
athletics team. Zippy is a kangaroo
Kangaroo
A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae . In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, especially those of the genus Macropus, Red Kangaroo, Antilopine Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Western Grey Kangaroo. Kangaroos are endemic to the country...
, and was chosen by a committee in 1953.
The school's nickname, "Zips," is a shortening of "Zippers," a pair of rubber overshoes and a brand name of the BF Goodrich Company of Akron
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
. It was originally adopted by the school in 1925 after a contest to give the school a nickname. Interestingly, "Kangaroos" was one of the choices at the time. In 1950, the current nickname was adopted because of the rising popularity of zippers in use on pants. Three years later, a committee suggested the kangaroo as a mascot, and it was accepted by the student council on May 1, 1953. Originally, it was met with derision, as it was not put to a campuswide vote. However, over time, Zippy has become a fan favorite at the school.
"Zippy" has always been a costumed mascot, and currently wears a blue letter-sweater and a gold-and-blue rat cap.
Capital One Bowl
The Capital One Bowl is an annual college football bowl game played in Orlando, Florida at the Citrus Bowl, and previously known as the Tangerine Bowl and the Florida Citrus Bowl...
mascot of the year. With an unprecedented 13–0 record, Zippy was named the winner on January 1, 2008