If I had to choose a college based on the mascot, I would choose Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Their mascot is known as Speedy the Geoduck.
Speedy the Geoduck.
A geoduck (pronounced gooey-duck) is a type of clam, one that is known for burrowing and looking supremely weird. They have clam shells, but coming from that clam shell is a rather long and thick trunk that the geoduck presumably uses for digging into the sands of the west coast of the United States. It is a slow, lumbering sort of creature that is, at best, an interesting sight visiting the west coast. It is described as having a ‘crunchy’ texture and a good taste.
So naturally, the geoduck is the mascot for Evergreen State College. The design for Speedy the Geoduck is fantastic and original: Instead of having him look intimidating and tough like every other sports mascot, Evergreen gave him googly eyes and a face that looks like he just received news that he’s the father.
The geoduck is said to represent everything that Evergreen State College represents. Evergreen is a college that is not driven by competition, thus explaining Speedy’s open and pacifistic attitude. He can adapt and change to fit the student’s needs, much like the college itself.
Speedy is obviously always in a good mood, despite his terrified face. His status as mascot has often been a point of ridicule, called ‘the worst mascot ever’ and the ‘oddest mascot’ by people who do not know of his great legacy. Truly, a college with a mascot as magnificent as Speedy the Geoduck must be a good college, with a good reputation and a kind heart, for no heart is as kind as Speedy the Geoduck’s.
Resources
Gould, A. A. (1850) Panopea generosa. Retrieved from www.marinespecies.org
Evergreen State College (ca. 2015) It’s Speedy the Geoduck. Retrieved from evergreen.edu
