Friday Question of the Day – What’s the Worst Sports Team Name in the USA? (Reader Request)
12 November 2009 10:10 PM | By Prince Of Petworth in Friday Question of the Day, sports 
federico the flying squirrel, originally uploaded by jonpon3.
A reader writes:
Suggestion for a frivolous Friday question of the day. “What’s the Worst Sports Team Name in the USA?” I thought it was the Washington Wizards until Richmond just named its new minor league baseball team the “Flying Squirrels”.
I agree, it’s been a while since we had a fun FQoTD. I really enjoyed reading about people’s first cassette, CD, and concert that they went to. But this is a good question too. I’ve always thought the Banana Slugs of UC Santa Cruz was the most ridiculous sports mascot/name. But can you think of any worse than the Flying Squirrels? I’ve always thought that Clerks of Cardozo High School was an odd name…
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12 November 2009 10:15 PM | Anon5 Said:
I’m not sure about the ‘worst’ but certainly the ‘Washington Redskins’ is among the most offensive. It’s really no different than calling your team the ‘New York Negroes’ or the ‘Kansas City Crackers.’
12 November 2009 10:20 PM | Anonymous Said:
yep. redskins.
horrible name.
12 November 2009 10:45 PM | wss Said:
“Blazing Blue Barnacles” = swim team of my youth. Seriously. No wonder we got so much use out of the “Still Alive at 0-5″ banner…
12 November 2009 11:06 PM | Andy Said:
Redskins. Also, most names subbed in for former use of terms like “redskins.”
12 November 2009 11:10 PM | ogden Said:
Its the made up mascots that always make me think WTF?–
Kansas State/Arizona/Northwestern Wildcats
KU Jayhawks
Saint Louis University Billikens
Webster University Golorks
12 November 2009 11:34 PM | saf Said:
Cardozo is the clerks because they were a business school.
12 November 2009 11:40 PM | grumpy Said:
Worst – Redskins
Strangest – I’m going to go with the Gorloks that ogden mentioned – wtf?
Funniest – I’m partial to the UC Irvine Anteaters
12 November 2009 11:50 PM | Matt G Said:
Macon Whoopee. ‘nuf said.
13 November 2009 12:21 AM | inmtpl Said:
redskins by far , could’nt believe when i first moved here. still can’t .
13 November 2009 2:58 AM | Joseph Said:
Redskins is an embarrassment. No better than the Tucson Spics or the LA Jewboys or the Nashville Negroes.
13 November 2009 6:56 AM | Dee Montgomerry Pennyworth Said:
Huh!?!?! Nothings as bad as the Green Wave … worst name ever
13 November 2009 6:59 AM | Kalorini Said:
My high school mascot–the Gaels! You know, a viking with a kilt and a bagpipe. No joke–essentially a Scotsman, but called a viking.
13 November 2009 7:18 AM | Anonymous Said:
The Washington Nationals.
For Pete’s sake, after a long 33 year drought of no baseball in Washington and so few still alive to remember any Nationals, we could not keep the name of our baseball team The Washington Senators which many Washingtonians still do remember because the District of Columbia hasn’t any senate representatives in congress.
I do not share in the politicizing of sports or the arts.
I do not share in the invoking of political correctness in everything under the sun;
nor do I share in the hypersensitivity of the nomenclature of a privately held professional football team franchise as the Washington Redskins as the repeated comments found here.
Get real.
13 November 2009 7:50 AM | Aaron Said:
You have Banana Slug readers, and yes it is ridiculous…but also a distinct point of pride.
13 November 2009 8:02 AM | Matt Said:
My high school was Haverford and our mascot/name was the Fords, as in Model T Fords. Haverford Fords. Horrible.
13 November 2009 8:06 AM | Nick Said:
Redskins=the worst. I’m not a big proponent of political correctness, but a slur is a slur.
13 November 2009 8:17 AM | H Said:
I agree, I can’t believe “Redskins”, it’s offensive and embarrassing.
13 November 2009 8:28 AM | Rusty Shackleford Said:
Houston Texans
13 November 2009 8:31 AM | quincycyclist Said:
The Centralia Orphans of Centralia (IL) High.
The hard part is picking names that are lame but don’t fall into the “so lame it’s funny” category – like Banana Slugs.
13 November 2009 8:33 AM | Neal - Som Records Said:
Florida Gators.
Actually a good name, I just hate em.
13 November 2009 8:39 AM | E-Rich Said:
I always thought the Delaware Blue Hens was a silly name, but following Neal’s lead, I’m going to have to go with the pittsburgh steelers, because fuck the steelers.
13 November 2009 8:41 AM | MarkB Said:
Wow, someone knows about the Gorlocks. The name is taken from the intersection where the University is located…Gore and Lockwood Aves. in Webster Groves MO.
Now that’s trivia!
13 November 2009 8:43 AM | Binklesworth Said:
My highschool football teams, from Brunswick, MD (home to one of the largest railroad yards a long time ago), were called “The Railroaders”.
My gal’s junior league hockey team were the “Mother Puckers”.
13 November 2009 8:49 AM | Fellow Petworthian Said:
No offense to U of Delaware, but the Fighting Blue Hens. Just never sounded that tough to me.
13 November 2009 8:52 AM | Mal Said:
My high school name was the Trojans… Got made fun of constantly by other teams, too bad we always beat them
Looove Binklesworth’s gal’s team name – The Mother Puckers… haha!
13 November 2009 9:01 AM | Erik Said:
Umm.. Washington Bullets?
13 November 2009 9:10 AM | Stephanie Said:
U of Arkansas, Monticello Boll Weevils
Campbell University Fighting Camels (a camel, really?)
13 November 2009 9:11 AM | CAPITOLg Said:
All time Best name: Arkansas School for the Deaf: the Deaf Leopards (i kid u not)
Worst DC: I have to say the Wizards (bring back the Bullets)
Redskins is pretty bad too but i know if they changed it it would some how end up being worse.
Utah Jazz always gets under my skin too. If you change team location you should be allowed to change the name too.
13 November 2009 9:17 AM | enus gobunger Said:
E-Rich…everyone hates a winner. HERE WE GO STEELERS!!!!! And considering the industry that city was built on, it sort of makes sense.
And Erik, the Bullets aren’t bad. They used to be the Baltimore Bullets, and that was before Baltimore was as awful as it is now.
13 November 2009 9:19 AM | dcmom Said:
How about HOKIES – who wants their mascot tobe a castrated turkey!?
13 November 2009 9:22 AM | IntangibleArts Said:
Worst name = Redskins for all the reasons listed by those wise enough to agree with me.
And I don’t know shite about the Banana Slugs, or whatever the hell sport that is, but the name is permanently awesome.
13 November 2009 9:22 AM | Sunny Florida Avenue Said:
Wizards. Hokies a close second.
13 November 2009 9:24 AM | OTBerbur Said:
I am surprised no one has yet mentioned the Georgetown Hoyas — a nickname that makes no sense even when one reads the explanation. Also, unlike Blue Hens or Flying Squirrels, there is no natural mascot that can accompany it.
As far as strange names, I recall from my childhood in Omaha, NE Benson High School, whose teams were (and as far as I can ascertain still are) “the Bunnies.” I’ve never seen that elsewhere.
And as far as offensive, let’s not forget the Pekin (IL) Chinks (a name that was finally jettisoned in 1981).
13 November 2009 9:27 AM | Crin Said:
Any team that uses a collective name or requires a “the.” The Heat. The Jazz. The Galaxy.
13 November 2009 9:27 AM | enus gobunger Said:
Little more history…the Washington Redskins were once the Boston Redskins. Blame those damn Massholes for team name!!!!
13 November 2009 9:29 AM | Anonymous Said:
Get over the Redskins you whiners. Don’t hear people from Ireland crying about Notre Dame.
Anyway, the worst mascot is the Evergreen State Geoducks.
13 November 2009 9:30 AM | hcfoo22 Said:
my college: Haverford Black Squirrels. So very frightening. Also, most NESCAC colleges have some pretty amazing names. Williams Purple Cows for one comes to mind.
13 November 2009 9:34 AM | GiantSquid Said:
The Toledo Mud Hens. Although it is a point of pride of some from the area. Like my Mom.
13 November 2009 9:42 AM | Quaker Said:
My college, Earlham College Quakers, makes sense since they founded and are still affiliated with the school but a little boring. We were however originally the Fightin’ Quakers, then the Hustlin’ Quakers. While no Quaker really strikes fear in one’s opponent Hustlin’ Quakers is especially bad.
13 November 2009 9:46 AM | MarkB Said:
What about the University of Tulsa Golden Hurricanes? Is it a golden shower in gale force winds?
13 November 2009 9:48 AM | eva Said:
I grew up in Irvine and I still think the UC Irvine Anteaters is quite possibly the stupidest name ever. That said, the plush anteaters they sell in the campus bookstore are pretty darn cute. Definitely cuter than the banana slugs. I myself am a UC Davis Aggie and damn proud of it, even though it’s not a thing.
13 November 2009 9:50 AM | TonyS Said:
I think Redskins is cool (it’s ok, I’m Native American). Wizards has to be considered. As well as basically any WNBA team name.
13 November 2009 9:54 AM | quincycyclist Said:
@Crin:
Don’t all team names require a “The” when you say them?
13 November 2009 9:55 AM | Jimmy D Said:
In college I was a Franklin & Marshall Diplomat before transferring to become a Salisbury Seagull.
I warmed up to the seagull mascot when my roommate (also an asst. lax coach) told me it was cool to arrive early to games all around the country and see seagulls all over the field. Never warmed to the Diplomats though. That one just sucked.
13 November 2009 9:57 AM | TomBall Said:
Redskins without a doubt.
13 November 2009 10:02 AM | Dog walker Said:
Lansing Lug Nuts
My Baltimore area alma mater, the Loyola H.S. Dons (a spanish gentleman)
13 November 2009 10:04 AM | Hoodrat Said:
Redskins, no doubt. And I kind of second the WNBA comment. The Mystics? The Starzz? WTF. Although I do like the Cleveland Rockers, especially since I believe the actual mascot on the court is Rocky Raccoon. Sheer awesome.
And I always thought the Fighting Quakers fell into the sheer awesome category too. Best. Fight song. Ever.
13 November 2009 10:04 AM | Bogotron Said:
I too think the Senators was a great name and I wish they had kept it. Not that I think the Nationals is terrible, but where I hear “The Nats” I always visualize it as “Gnats”. I suppose it’s apropos, as the opposition probably feels that facing the Nationals is akin to swatting away a few flies for three hours at a time.
Rutgers, my alma mater, has a pretty bad mascot name, the Scarlet Knights. However, I think the all-time worst has to go to the Scottsdale Community College Fighting Artichokes.
13 November 2009 10:06 AM | K St. Said:
Witchita St. Shockers…
13 November 2009 10:31 AM | anon Said:
KUs mascot is named after the jayhawkers – militia men who ran raids in bordering Missouri. The bird that they use is made up (and stupid).
There is a hs in missouri whose mascot is the kewpies – which is just a naked baby.
13 November 2009 10:37 AM | Drew Said:
Nothing wrong eith the Redskins. Don’t forget that they started their Indian names (Braves) in honor of an Indian (and their landlords). The concept of disrespect came much later.
The worst name is a toss up between the Miami Heat and the OKC Thunder.
My question for you is how long does the Thunder take before they just start swapping out lightning on things?
13 November 2009 10:38 AM | Anonymous Said:
@ K St…had a flashback about the Wichita St. Shockers: http://www.flickr.com/photos/33627798@N00/153273330/
13 November 2009 10:50 AM | mytwobits Said:
Evergreen State College of Washington State are the Geoducks (pronounced goo-ee-ducks)…worst ever mascot, it’s basically a giant clam.
http://www.evergreen.edu/athletics/geoduck.htm
13 November 2009 10:59 AM | Nancy Pelosi Said:
Democrat Donkey’s… the story behind their mascot is amusing.
13 November 2009 11:06 AM | CHisOK! Said:
Has anyone ever been to a GW game? The colonials? Have you seen the giant George Washington bobble head that runs around? It’s creepy/scares children/not normal.
13 November 2009 11:08 AM | Sammy Said:
I went to Oberlin College and our mascot was the Yeomen. Look out, small landowning farmer comin’ to kick your butt!
13 November 2009 11:15 AM | Sheepprofessor Said:
“Wow, someone knows about the Gorlocks. The name is taken from the intersection where the University is located…Gore and Lockwood Aves. in Webster Groves MO.”
I grew up about 2 miles from that intersection but I didn’t even know that Webster U had a mascot, much less that it is named after that intersection.
My nomination: Indiana Hoosiers. In some parts of the midwest, ‘hoosier’ is a synonym for ‘redneck’. I have heard that this dates to the depression, when natives of Indiana, which had been especially hard-hit, flocked to big cities in the midwest looking for work, so the name took on a pejorative tone, similar to ‘Okies’ in California.
13 November 2009 11:34 AM | M Said:
yeah Salisbury Seagulls!!!
13 November 2009 11:37 AM | Alex Said:
I am a proud Elon Fightin’ Christian Alum. They changed the name to the Phoenix my sophomore year. Who the hell drops an awesome name like the Fightin’ Christians? For that, the Phoenix is by far the worst mascot name.
13 November 2009 11:50 AM | The Centzon Totochtin Said:
You know, if PoP simply googled “Worst team names ever” he could have saved us the trouble of creating a 60-comment tread to discuss it. DAMN YOU POP!
As an Eagles fan, here is another vote for the Redskins. These days the team is just as putrid as the name so it all works out though.
Still, the Redskins are a great team to make up derogatory names for- the Rashes, the Stereotypes, Detroit-east, the list just keeps getting longer. . .
13 November 2009 12:09 PM | ontarioroader Said:
Sidwell Fighting Quakers
13 November 2009 12:23 PM | Matt G Said:
Don’t hate on the Fighting Blue Hens of Delaware…they’re the only Division 1 mascot that is specifically female!
13 November 2009 12:32 PM | Bitter Elitist Said:
Dee Montgomerry Pennyworth Says:
November 13th, 2009 at 6:56 am
Huh!?!?! Nothings as bad as the Green Wave … worst name ever
***
I went to Tulane! It should be changed to Brown Surge.
13 November 2009 12:38 PM | Joe Said:
Redskins. I won’t even say it. I say Skins if I have to. How is it even close to being OK? Why not the Washington Darkies? I mean, really. Ugh.
That being said, the minor league team in Caspar, WY is the “Ghosts”. That is pretty damn bad.
13 November 2009 1:00 PM | RD Said:
Hoyas
13 November 2009 1:05 PM | Petworth Newbie Said:
The Pomona College Sagehens. Our dreadful cheer is “Chirp! Chirp!” Our foes are filled with dread, whenever Cecil Sagehen flies over head! We lost frequently to the Whittier Poets (that’s Nixon’s college.)
When Cecil Sagehen chirps, we’re gonna fracture the foes of Pomona’s might! When Cecil Sagehen chirps, we’re gonna wail on their bods for the Blue and White! Our foes are filled with dread, whenever Cecil Sagehen flies over head! We’re gonna C, we’re gonna H, we’re gonna IRP, When Cecil chirps his way to victory! Chirp!”
I LOVE the UC Santa Cruz banana slugs. If you’ve never seen one, they are very pretty. And apparently the slime is vitamin rich (ugh!)
13 November 2009 1:07 PM | Petworth Newbie Said:
Is there anything more frightening than a sage grouse strutting on the range in the dawn light, inflating his chest air sacs and making bizarre gurgling sounds?
13 November 2009 1:23 PM | inmtpl Said:
seriously, Fighting Quakers? thou crakest me up.
13 November 2009 1:33 PM | Megan Said:
My college mascot was the Battling Bishop. YEAH. Go clergy.
Incidentally, we were in the same division and played the Earlham Quakers.
13 November 2009 1:33 PM | Zoom268 Said:
“Comentariat” is a pretty dumb name for people write on blogs regularly.
13 November 2009 1:50 PM | Danish Said:
University of North Carolina School for the Arts
Fighting Pickles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_North_Carolina_School_of_the_Arts
’nuff said!!!!
13 November 2009 1:52 PM | Ragged Dog Said:
Pekin HS, “Chinks” (Illinois) ….used to have two little Asian kids dance at halftime at the basketball games I’m told. Google it.
Does that win?
13 November 2009 1:56 PM | Prince Of Petworth Said:
Here’s one a reader just uploaded to the flickr pool:
“St. Charles Elementary, Home of the Midgets”
http://www.flickr.com/photos/44676209@N08/4100557453/in/pool-popville
13 November 2009 2:05 PM | Bradford Said:
Nobody has mentioned the Kansas City Wiz yet? They eventually changed it to Wizards, but naming your soccer team after a stream of urine has to be pretty bad.
13 November 2009 2:50 PM | Erin Said:
Scottsdale Community College’s mascot is the Artichoke, their colors are pink and green, that’s pretty awful.
Another I know of is East Providence High School in RI–their mascot is the “Townie” which is a sketchy looking kid in a newsboy hat and a crowbar. Nice!
13 November 2009 4:08 PM | 8th Said:
Weird = Fort Collins High School Lambkins.
Also in Fort Collins, Boltz Junior High School Phoenix (because the building burned down while it was under construction but then got rebuilt).
Agree with Crin that collective nouns are the worst. Mercury? Heat? Bah. Isn’t there a team called Sol somewhere?
13 November 2009 7:29 PM | watchmesoar Said:
The Delta State Fighting Okra…enough said.
13 November 2009 10:03 PM | Shawn Said:
Redskins
15 November 2009 11:39 AM | Pete Witte Said:
When I was in high school during the late 1990’s, I played in Pekin Community High School (Illinois) annual holiday basketball tournament. The teams in the tournament’s “losers bracket” played at the old high school gymnasium at this time (since then, they have added an additional gym to the newer high school). In the locker room at the old high school they still had a mural of the old mascot, an offensive depiction of a Chinese man with a protective sun hat on his head, I believe the hat is called a coolie.
On a lighter note, another team that competed in this tournament each year with a rather odd team name was the Freeport H.S. Pretzels. http://freeportpretzelathletics.com/index.htm
15 November 2009 3:06 PM | Anonymous Said:
Dickinson Midgets. My friend went to high school in North Dakota and that was his high school team name. Awkward.
Redskins still takes the cake, though.