Rally House takes great pride in being a reliable national sports and merchandise retailer with an extraordinary selection of team gear and local products. However, we also like providing fun facts and information about the industry to passionate fans like you. That’s why we’re thrilled to kick off the College Mascot Series, where you’ll learn more about the history of college mascots and take a closer look at historic logos from your favorite universities.
This deep dive into the history of college mascots can’t begin without first acknowledging the man that many consider one of the most prolific cartoonists of the 20th century and the pioneer of university logos: Arthur Evans.
Many Mascots, One Artist
The mid-1900s saw an uptick in the popularity of college sports due to various factors. This increase in attention forced many schools to search for someone to design and revamp their mascot logos. While other companies like Potter Manufacturing and Pine Decals participated in the college decal market, Angelus Pacific Co. took a majority of the customer base. Arthur Evans was the head artist for Angelus during most of the 1900s and is now credited with creating or largely inspiring many of the mascots we know today.
It’s estimated that Art Evans is responsible for over 90% of school mascots used from the 1930s to the 1970s, a staggering number for just one artist. There was even a 1963 trade advertisement for Angelus Pacific Co. that showed more than 100 mascots for some of the most dominant Division I schools. This extensive list included the Duke Blue Devils, Georgia Bulldogs, Purdue Boilermakers, and many more.
Recognizable Elements of Art Evans’ Mascot Drawings
There are several similarities between the numerous mascot drawings from Art Evans. For instance, many of his mascots have eyes with a V-shaped slit for contrast, along with easily-recognizable emotional facial expressions – usually angry but sometimes happy. Still, one of the biggest similarities is the sailor hat that most of his mascots wear. The reason behind the sailor hat is not entirely clear, but there’s speculation that it represents the beanies freshman had to wear at universities during the 1900s. So, when you see an old-timey mascot, keep an eye out for these details to see if it’s an Arthur Evans drawing!
Tag Along for the College Mascot Series on the Rally House Blog
Over the next few weeks, you can visit the Rally House blog to read the College Mascot Series for more information and a closer look at some of the best college mascots out there. In the meantime, don’t hesitate to show your school colors by shopping Arthur Evans mascot apparel at a Rally House near you or on our website!
