Kansas Mascots: The Common, the Classic, and the Quirky

They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and are some of the most recognizable aspects of Kansas communities. This talk sheds light on the costumed characters of concourse: the mascots of Kansas! From the state’s most recognizable like the University of Kansas Jayhawk, the Kansas State University Wildcat, and the Wichita State University Shocker, to the more obscure, like the Fowler Goldbugs, the Pratt Greenbacks, and the Hill City Ringnecks, this talk features stories from across the state on the history and pageantry of Kansas mascots. The talk will also explore some of the Kansas mascots that have unique, historical ties to the communities from which they come that might not be evident to the casual fan of athletics in Kansas, like the Abilene High School Cowboys/Cowgirls and their connection to that community’s history of cattle drives in the mid to late 1800’s. The presentation wraps up with a discussion of the local mascots in the area along with some trivia of mascots both near and far!