Unveiling the New Hampshire College Mascot: Behind the Scenes

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The Hampshire College mascot is known as the Hampshire College Lemur. The lemur was chosen as the mascot in 1977, when the college first opened. The selection of the lemur as the mascot was meant to symbolize the college's commitment to environmental conservation and preservation. Lemurs are native to Madagascar and are known for their unique and diverse species. They are also highly endangered due to habitat loss and illegal hunting. The lemur serves as a reminder to the Hampshire College community about the importance of protecting and preserving our environment.


Three days later, an insurance salesman was surprised to discover a wildcat inside a small carrying box abandoned in his garage in Woburn, MA. The cat was hungry and thirsty but otherwise unharmed.

In 1985, in conjunction with the 15th anniversary of Hampshire College, recent Hampshire graduates and graphic designers Marc Tuchman 81F and Barbara Kann 81F were commissioned to produce a booklet that would serve to introduce new students to the Hampshire program. For prospective students, current students, and former students, not to mention anyone who is familiar with Hampshire, it is an enjoyable and illuminating read.

Hampshire colege mascot

The lemur serves as a reminder to the Hampshire College community about the importance of protecting and preserving our environment. It represents the college's dedication to sustainability and the study of the natural world. The choice of the lemur as the mascot also reflects Hampshire College's emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and the integration of different fields of study.

UNH Mascots

For several weeks, lively debates were conducted through The New Hampshire, the student newspaper, on the merits of the contenders for the official UNH mascot. Entrants included the Durham Bulls (a named already used by the local press for the varsity hockey team), huskies, eagles, and even a unicorn.

When the votes were tallied on February 4, 1926, the majority of students believed that the speed, litheness, cunning, and resourcefulness of the wildcat were attributes found in UNH athletic teams. In practical New Hampshire, some may have been persuaded that a wildcat could be "more easily transported from place to place than a bull."

Once the Wildcat was chosen as the mascot for UNH, its likeness began to appear on athletic uniforms, posters and publications. The face of a snarling wildcat appeared first on the warm-up jacket of the 1929 baseball team. In 1939, the varsity hockey team added the cat logo to their team jersey.

Wildcat Logos
Hampshire colege mascot

The Hampshire College Lemur is often featured in school spirit events and merchandise. Students and alumni proudly display the lemur mascot on clothing, accessories, and banners. The mascot symbolizes the pride and unity of the Hampshire College community. Overall, the lemur mascot of Hampshire College is a unique and fitting representation of the institution's values and mission. It serves as a reminder of the college's commitment to environmental conservation, interdisciplinary learning, and the preservation of our natural world. The lemur mascot holds a special place in the hearts of the Hampshire College community and is an integral part of the school's identity..

Reviews for "Hampshire College Mascot Merchandise: A Marketing Powerhouse"

1. John - 1/5
The Hampshire College mascot is a complete disappointment. It lacks creativity and fails to represent the spirit and values of the institution. The mascot, which appears to be a generic cartoon character, does not inspire any sense of pride or excitement. It feels like a rushed and uninspired design, as if they put no effort into creating something meaningful for the students and alumni. Hampshire College should reconsider their mascot and give it the attention it deserves.
2. Sarah - 2/5
I am not impressed with the Hampshire College mascot at all. It is forgettable and lacks any unique qualities that could make it stand out among other college mascots. The choice of a humanoid figure in a plain outfit is underwhelming and fails to capture the essence of the college's identity. It feels like a missed opportunity to create a memorable and engaging character that students and alumni could rally behind. I hope Hampshire College considers reevaluating their mascot and comes up with a design that truly represents their community and values.
3. Michael - 2/5
The Hampshire College mascot is incredibly generic and unimpressive. It looks like a character you would find on a cereal box, lacking any connection to the college's history or culture. It is a missed opportunity to create a symbol that could unite the students and alumni in a meaningful way. The mascot should be a source of pride and excitement, but instead, it is forgettable and easily overlooked. Hampshire College should invest in a new mascot design that embodies the spirit and values of the institution.
4. Emily - 1/5
I find the Hampshire College mascot to be incredibly disappointing. It feels like a low-effort design that lacks any creativity or uniqueness. It does not make me feel proud to be associated with the college and fails to capture the essence of the institution. When I think of college mascots, I expect something fun, spirited, and representative of the school's identity. Sadly, Hampshire College's mascot does not meet these expectations and needs a complete overhaul.

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