Editing Mascot (section)

==Choices and identities==
{{Weasel|section|date=March 2009}}
[[File:President Ronald Reagan and the Chicken at the San Diego Convention Center in California.jpg|thumb|left|The [[San Diego Chicken]], portrayed by Ted Giannoulas, was a staple in the [[San Diego]] area during the 1970s and 80s. On the right is [[United States President]] [[Ronald Reagan]] at a campaign stop in San Diego during the [[1988 United States presidential election|1988 election]].]]
[[File:Sebastian the Ibis.jpg|thumb|[[University of Miami]] mascot [[Sebastian the Ibis]] makes the University of Miami's signature "The U" hand gesture, December 2007.]]
Often, the choice of the mascot reflects the desired quality; a typical example of this is the "fighting spirit," in which a competitive nature is [[personification|personified]] by warriors or [[predation|predatory]] animals.

Mascots may also symbolize a local or regional trait, such as the [[Nebraska Cornhuskers]]' mascot, [[Herbie Husker]]: a stylized version of a farmer, owing to the agricultural traditions of the area in which the university is located. Similarly, [[Pittsburg State University]] uses Gus the Gorilla as its mascot, "gorilla" being an old colloquial term for coal miners in the Southeast Kansas area in which the university was established.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pittsburg State University: Home of the Nation's Only Gorillas |url=http://www.pittstategorillas.com/sports/2012/4/23/GEN_0423125254.aspx?path=general&tab=2 |website=Pittsburg State Gorillas|date = 23 April 2012}}</ref>

In the United States, [[Native American mascot controversy|controversy]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/dickvitale/vcolumn0508010-confusingmove.html|website=ESPN.com |author=Dick Vitale |title=NCAA mascot, nickname ban is confusing}}</ref> surrounds some mascot choices, especially those using human likenesses. Mascots based on [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] tribes are particularly [[List of sports team names and mascots derived from indigenous peoples|contentious]], as many argue that they constitute offensive exploitations of an oppressed culture.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=Phyllis Raybin Emert |date=Winter 2003 |volume=2 |number=2 |title=Native American Mascots: Racial Slur or Cherished Tradition? |magazine=Respect: A newsletter about law and diversity |url=https://www.njsbf.org/images/content/1/1/11134/Respect%20Winter%202003.pdf |access-date=2017-03-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228082250/http://www.njsbf.org/images/content/1/1/11134/Respect%20Winter%202003.pdf |archive-date=28 December 2016}}</ref> However, several Indian tribes have come out in support of keeping the names. For example, the Utah Utes and the Central Michigan Chippewas are sanctioned by local tribes, and the [[Florida State Seminoles]] are supported by the [[Seminole Tribe of Florida]] in their use of Osceola and Renegade as symbols. FSU chooses not to refer to them as mascots because of the offensive connotation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/12057/time-to-rethink-native-american-imagery|title=Uni Watch: Time to rethink Native American imagery in sports|work=ESPN.com |date=26 September 2012}}</ref> This has not, however, prevented fans from engaging in "[[Redface]]"—dressing up in stereotypical, Plains Indian outfits during games, or creating offensive banners saying "Scalp 'em" as was seen at the 2014 Rose Bowl.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eMkExDqIm30/UtbXiwwwHNI/AAAAAAAAANY/VlFDzfDyGd4/s1600/994673_578336832241038_803322277_n.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image for 'Education Fail' |website=2.bp.blogspot.com |access-date=2017-03-01}}</ref>

Some sports teams have "unofficial" mascots: individual supporters or fans that have become identified with the team. The [[New York Yankees]] have such an individual in fan [[Freddy Sez]].  Former [[Toronto Blue Jays]] mascot [[BJ Birdie]] was a costumed character created by a Blue Jays fan, ultimately hired by the team to perform at their home games. USC Trojans mascot is Tommy Trojan who rides on his horse (and the official mascot of the school) Traveler.