Northern Iowa Mascot The Northern Iowa mascot is called "TC," which stands for "The Panther." The Panther is a symbol of strength, agility, and resilience, which are all qualities that the Northern Iowa athletic teams strive to embody. The Panther mascot has been a part of Northern Iowa's identity since the 1920s. It represents the fierce and competitive spirit of the university and its athletes. The Panther is present at all major sporting events and rallies, rallying the crowd and providing support and motivation for the teams. The Panther mascot is an important part of school spirit at Northern Iowa.
TC and TK get the boot thanks to a new “brand”
If she’s this sad when they miss a goal, I don’t wanna know what she said when they told her she was fired.
This article is completely satire, any resemblance to any real person is completely coincidental. The statements in the french fry do not reflect the views of the Northern Iowan, nor do they reflect the views of the advertisers outside of this insert.
To the dismay of the campus community, lovable panther mascots TC and TK will be kicked to the curb by UNI, as a result of the new rebranding initiative. The university’s shocking announcement contained a call for new mascot applicants and noted that the classic cereal mascots Tony the Tiger or Cap’n Crunch are currently in negotiations to replace both TC and TK.
UNI President Mike Gnook emphasized the importance of UNI’s rebranding, and said TC and TK are simply too outdated for the university’s new “hip” logo.
“TC and TK were beloved by the university,” Gnook said, “However, they are just too old, especially with our exciting new rebrand. It’s time for a change here at UNI. Mascots like Tony the Tiger and Cap’n Crunch will bring a new fresh perspective that will truly represent the best UNI has to offer.”
TC was shocked by the news, as he had been with the university since the 1980s.
“For almost 40 years, TK and I have been a part of UNI,” TC said. “I am devastated. I just can’t believe I might be replaced by a tiger. Everyone knows panthers are better than tigers.”
Many students were also upset to learn of the news, like junior Albertha Lehman who was deeply saddened by the announcement. However, she says Cap’n Crunch is a mascot she would like.
“TC and TK have represented UNI for so long, and they are amazing mascots,” Lehman said. “Although I can kind of get on board with Cap’n Crunch because Crunch Berries are delicious.”
TK was also shocked at the unexpected news and is now looking for employment at Northern Illinois University (NIU) to assist their current husky mascot.
“I couldn’t believe it,” TK said. “Honestly, I didn’t think much of the new logo when it was released. It looks like they just italicized the old logo, so I don’t really get it.”
TK continued, “I talked with the administration at NIU just the other day, and they said they would consider my employment as their new mascot. Hopefully I’ll be able to get the job, because there aren’t a lot of career options for panthers in the Midwest.”
Meanwhile, TC has considered applying for the still-vacant and nebulously-defined provost position here at UNI— see full coverage by E-molly Mass, p. 1.
A group of NISG senators has vowed justice for TC and TK, lobbying the administration and pushing back against the decision. In addition, an online petition asking the university to keep TC and TK has receiving over 200 signatures in 24 hours and has started a firestorm on social media with the hashtag “TCTKforever” and “tonythetigersux.”
TC is grateful for UNI students, and all the support both he and TK have received over the past couple days.
“We could not be more thankful for our time at UNI, and for all the fantastic students here,” TC said.
Despite the pushback from the campus community, it seems the university is set in the decision and will officially replace TC and TK by fall semester.
Other mascots are encouraged to apply, and official interviews will be held in the coming weeks. All panther logos and merchandise will be removed and replaced with the new mascot’s merchandise as soon as the new mascot is officially hired.
TC Panther to be replaced with a live panther
Following an outstanding playing career for the UNI men’s basketball team, A.J. Green will be the new handler for Obsiden the Panther next season at UNI sporting events.
Shaden McKay, Spertz Werter
Mar 31, 2022
This article is completely satire, any resemblance to any real person is completely coincidental. The statements in the french fry do not reflect the views of the Northern Iowan, nor do they reflect the views of the advertisers outside of this insert.
In April, UNI plans to unveil its brand new mascot Obsidian to the masses. Obsidian is a real life panther who was rescued from the country of Nepal to be used as the new mascot for the University of Northern Iowa. For a long time, there have been complaints that the current mascot, TC, was too “cartoonish” for the current audience at UNI. Many UNI students have spoken out about how there wasn’t enough action in between breaks of UNI sporting events. “I would prefer it if there was a sense of danger within the games,” one student told the French Fry. “I believe TC strikes fear into the hearts of our opponents and their fans, but there feels like there is something missing. We need for them to be filled with absolute terror when they enter the building and I think that is exactly something that Obisdian can do.”
Obsidian was chosen over hundreds of other panthers that “auditioned” for the role of the new UNI mascot. Many people sent in their panthers from all over the world to have this prestigious honor. TC has been a part of the UNI family for years and it will be a tough goodbye. The people, however, have spoken and as a part of the goal for UNI to be more nature centered and environmentally aware in the future, they would like for a real panther to represent this change the university is going in. Following in the footsteps of great mascots like UGA the bulldog from the University of Georgia and Ralphie the Bison for the University of Colorado, Obsidian looks to be the next great live mascot. Look out, University of Northern Iowa, Obsidian is making his way to a field or court near you.
Mascots
Photographs that span the history of athletic mascots at the school known over the years as Iowa State Teachers College, State College of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa.
This collection is a subset of the larger UNI Panther Athletics image gallery.
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The Panther mascot is an important part of school spirit at Northern Iowa. It helps to unite students, alumni, and fans, creating a sense of community and pride. The mascot's presence at games and events creates an electric atmosphere, boosting morale and increasing engagement.
2001 at ISU with cheerleaders
2001
Photographs that span the history of athletic mascots at the school known over the years as Iowa State Teachers College, State College of Iowa, and the University of Northern Iowa.
Northern Iowa takes great pride in its mascot and ensures that it is represented in a respectful and professional manner. The Panther costume is carefully designed and maintained to ensure that it accurately portrays the characteristics of a Panther. The mascot performer undergoes rigorous training to ensure that they effectively embody the spirit and energy of the Panther. The Northern Iowa mascot is a beloved symbol of the university and plays a vital role in promoting school spirit and supporting the athletic teams. The Panther represents the qualities that Northern Iowa values in its athletes and serves as a source of inspiration for all who encounter it. In summary, the Northern Iowa mascot, known as "TC" or "The Panther," is an important symbol of strength, agility, and resilience for the university's athletic teams. It embodies the competitive spirit and fosters a sense of community and pride among students, alumni, and fans. The Panther mascot plays a vital role in promoting school spirit and supporting the athletic teams, making it a beloved symbol of Northern Iowa..
Reviews for "The Northern Iowa Mascot: A Symbol of School Pride and Identity"
1. John - 2 stars - The Northern Iowa mascot was a huge disappointment. The costume looked cheap and poorly made, with the colors fading and stitching coming undone. The overall design was also lackluster and uncreative. It seemed as if the university didn't invest much time or effort in creating a memorable and engaging mascot. I expected something more vibrant and exciting to represent the spirit of the school, but unfortunately, the Northern Iowa mascot fell flat.
2. Emily - 1 star - What a letdown the Northern Iowa mascot was! It was confusing and unrecognizable. I couldn't even tell what kind of animal or creature it was supposed to be. The choice of colors and lack of distinct features made it blend into the background instead of standing out. It made me wonder why they even bothered having a mascot if it didn't add any value or excitement to the games. Overall, a major miss for Northern Iowa and a disappointment for fans like me.
3. Mike - 2 stars - As a longtime supporter of Northern Iowa, I was quite disappointed by the mascot. The design was uninspiring and lacking in creativity. It seemed like a generic costume that could have belonged to any school. The performance of the mascot was also subpar, with awkward movements and a lack of enthusiasm. I believe a mascot should energize the crowd and represent the school's spirit, but this one fell short on all counts. Northern Iowa needs to seriously consider revamping their mascot to better engage and entertain their fans.
4. Sarah - 2 stars - The Northern Iowa mascot was underwhelming to say the least. It lacked originality and failed to capture the essence of the university. The costume was bulky and seemed uncomfortable for the person inside it to move around. The overall appearance was simply forgettable, with no distinct features or memorable characteristics. I was hoping for a mascot that would ignite school spirit and create a sense of pride, but unfortunately, Northern Iowa missed the mark with their choice. A mascot should be a source of excitement and joy, but this one left me feeling unimpressed.