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The Stanford Cardinal mascot is a rather unconventional choice. Stanford has an unofficial mascot, and to everyone’s surprise, it is a – ‘Tree’. Many schools have fierce animals or iconic figures as their mascot.
The ‘Standford Tree’ belongs to the Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band. It makes its spirited appearances at various events. The uniqueness of the Stanford Cardinal mascot has earned it a spot on both "worst mascot" and "top mascot" lists.
What does the Stanford Cardinal Mascot logo - the 'Stanford Tree' stand for?
The tree represents El Palo Alto which is featured on the university's seal. The Stanford Tree defies tradition and stands as a symbol of the university's distinctive spirit and heritage
Stanford Cardinal mascot, the ‘Stanford Tree’ is quite an unusual choice in the world of college sports. Stanford is known as ‘The Cardinal’ and doesn't officially have a mascot. The ‘Tree’ is a member of the Leland Stanford Junior University Marching Band (LSJUMB).
The journey of the Stanford Cardinal mascot has a rich history. From 1930 to 1972, Stanford was known as the “Indians” and went through various mascot iterations. The ‘Tree’ emergence was in 1975. It was initially a joke during halftime shows but gained popularity over time.
The uniqueness of the Stanford Cardinal mascot, its resilience, and its yearly reinvention have now become synonymous with the Stanford spirit.
Physical altercations with rival schools, especially UC Berkeley, and occasional pranks show that The ‘Tree’ holds prominence in collegiate sports culture.
When did Stanford change to Cardinal?
The story of Stanford University with its nickname and mascot is an interesting one. When Stanford was founded in 1891, it was initially without an official nickname. The term "Cardinal" came after a victorious Big Game against Cal. However, it was not officially adopted until 1981.
Before the Cardinal era, Stanford experienced phases of nicknames. They were called the "Indians" from 1930-72. This mascot was dropped in 1972 due to concerns of cultural insensitivity. The subsequent attempts to select a new mascot ranged from the Griffin to Robber Barons, but nothing stuck.
In 1981, President Donald Kennedy resolved the debate by declaring the exclusive representation of Stanford athletic teams through the color cardinal. The shift reflects Stanford's unique identity, from early Indian symbolism to the eventually accepting Cardinal as both - a color and a singular symbol.
