Big Sky Mascots Ranked: The Best, Worst, and Weirdest

What is the center of a good football team? An elite offense or defense, an amazing coaching staff, or maybe just plain luck? Well, I think it’s the mascot—the pride and lovable character of a team.

What screams football more than a mascot hyping up fans, starting a chant, or doing stunts during media breaks? Here is my list of favorite Big Sky mascots.

What Makes a Great College Mascot

Southern Utah joins the Big Sky Conference this year, and with that, they bring in one weird-looking bird. Thor the Thunderbird joins the club and becomes the second bird mascot in the conference, but man, I can’t get over his smile. Why is he smiling so big? It’s like he’s looking into my soul.

Cal Poly has Musty the Mustang, who is also one of two mustangs in the conference. What puts Musty low on my list is that he just has an odd-looking head. I know he’s a horse, but I think they could’ve designed it better. His cheekbones are something else, though, I have to admit.

Next, we have Idaho State with Benny the Bengal. He got a new look this past year, which I’ll say is better and a bit scarier, but the bright orange throws me off. I liked the previous orange more—it felt more “Bengal.” So, good redesign overall, but bring back the old orange, please.

Then we have Northern Colorado’s Klawz the Bear, who is, to put it simply, the worse version of Monte. Klawz just feels like a wannabe Monte, and no one can be Monte except Monte—that’s just how it is.

Portland State takes my No.10 spot with their mascot, Victor E. Viking. His most recent version looks okay, but the version with the white beard looked awesome. I think the newer version doesn’t look as tough, and the white beard worked much better. I’d love to see that version come back full-time.

Northern Arizona brings something no one else has—a tool. Louie the Lumberjack has a nice axe, even if it doesn’t look that sharp. I love the beanie, but as a lumberjack, I expect a better beard than the one he has. Grow a bigger beard and call me back.

Another new addition is Utah Tech University, bringing their mascot, Brooks the Bison. Brooks has to be one of the cutest mascots I’ve ever seen. His smile and eyes are just adorable. So, no points for looking tough, but man, I’d definitely want a hug from Brooks.

UC Davis is the other school with a mustang mascot, Gunrock the Mustang. I like the horse face much more on Gunrock, and the blue looks great on him. However, where he falls short for me is his name. Yes, it’s historic, and I get that, but it just doesn’t roll off the tongue like some of the others.

Just outside my top five is Swoop from Eastern Washington. As the other bird on this list, I like the design, and its beak is done really well. Overall, a great mascot and name, but I just wish he had more feather detail on his arms. That would elevate him even more and push him into my top five.

Then we have the Idaho Vandals and Joe Vandal. What a simple name that works so well, and I love the facial hair. There’s nothing particularly bad about Joe—I just like the next four more. No hard feelings, Joe, right?

Now we have Montana State’s Champ the Bobcat. Although they’re bitter rivals, I have to respect how well the bobcat costume is done. They did a great job balancing scary and cuddly. However… Champ? Really? Are you that full of yourself that you named your mascot Champ?

Coming in at No.3 is Weber State’s Waldo the Wildcat. Where do I even start? The fur looks so real, the face looks awesome, and those eyes are intense. I definitely wouldn’t want to get on Waldo’s bad side.

Now, I know Sacramento State is leaving, but before this next season, let’s remember the super buff Herky the Hornet. That dude is jacked—he could bench press me easily. I’ll definitely miss this ripped hornet.

And last, and certainly not least, the one and only Monte. What can I say? I’m biased. Monte might not be the scariest bear out there, but he’s definitely the most athletic. He’s always doing something crazy or messing with fans. He takes my No. 1 spot any day of the week. Love you, Monte.

Let me know what you think of my list and what you would change about it, Griz Nation.