Can you identify the nickname of these colleges?

The inspiration for this column came when my daughter was home for the holidays a couple of weeks ago. We were driving down the street when she spotted the license plate holder of the car in front of us. She had never heard of the Colorado School of Mines and wondered what kind of school it was. Now I had heard of the school, but one thing I didn't know was the nickname for its athletic teams. I've always been fascinated by nicknames, their origins and whether the women's teams go by a different moniker. So beginning with the above school, I compiled a list of somewhat obscure colleges. I will now cite them and you get to guess what their nickname is and — if different — the distaff version. Ready to play? Here's the list. Colorado School of Mines University of California at Santa Cruz Kentucky State University Mississippi Valley State University Rhode Island College Coastal Carolina University Austin Peay State University John Jay College of Criminal Justice Washburn University University of Arkansas at Monticello Tarleton State University I'm guessing that you will not get all 11 nicknames correct, in fact I'd be surprised if you have even heard of all of these schools. Nevertheless, let's take a look at what I found as I researched the answers. Colorado School of Mines. The school, located in Golden, is considered the top institution for mineral and mining engineering. It should not come as a complete shock to know that their athletic teams are known as the Orediggers. This school may be well known in Colorado, but around these parts Golden is better known for a certain brewery. University of California at Santa Cruz. Now this is one that you may well know. If you have ever looked at colleges with unusual nicknames — including Heidelberg — then this school was likely on the list. I'm really not sure if I would want to be known as a Banana Slug or not, but that's the nickname and they even have a mascot that wears a very unusual yellow outfit! Kentucky State University is located in the capital city of Frankfurt. Now everyone knows the state is home to horse racing and their nickname apparently honors the tradition. The men's teams are known as the Thorobreds which makes some sense despite the spelling. The women's teams on the other hand are the Thorobrettes. That I don't necessarily understand. But if the school's athletes are happy …I can also inform you that Kentucky State University has the world's largest pawpaw research planting. You're welcome! Mississippi Valley State University. You are likely familiar with the most well known athlete to attend school here — Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice. You may also know that the school is located in Itta Bena, Mississippi. If you know that they are the Delta Devils then give yourself an extra point, though no one is scoring. The ladies sports teams? Why, the Devilettes of course. Rhode Island College. Located in Providence, this school has a long running newspaper called The Anchor. Whether that served as the inspiration or not, the men's teams are known as the Anchormen and the women's teams the Anchorwomen. I have nothing else. Coastal Carolina University. Founded in 1954, the sports teams were known as the Trojans. When the school became an extension of the University of South Carolina in 1963 it was decided that they should have a nickname more similar to USC's Gamecocks. Thus the name Chanticleers came about. Coastal has made enough headlines in football in recent years that you might have guessed this name. In 1993, after becoming independent of USC, the student body was asked if they wanted to change their nickname. By then Chanticleers was ingrained in everyone's mind, so Zachary (what other name could you give to a rooster?) remained the school's mascot. Austin Peay State University. Located in Clarksville, Tennessee the school got its name in 1927. It was so named for the sitting governor of the state and he was further honored by having the school's nickname become the Governors. While the women's teams once went by the Lady Govs, both teams are now called simply the Governors. Many schools are dropping the term Lady for their female sports teams as you will see shortly.John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Located in New York City and named for the first chief justice of the United States, it should come as no surprise that the sports teams are known as the Bloodhounds! Washburn University. I will be impressed if you know that this school is the Ichabods. If your first thought went to Crane, you are forgiven. Mine too. The story though, is interesting. This Topeka, Kansas school was Lincoln College until they received a grant of money in 1868. It came from the estate of a Massachusetts wire industry magnate who was interested in education. Thus Lincoln became Washburn and the teams became the Ichabods. Yes, the man's name was indeed Ichabod Washburn! University of Arkansas at Monticello. This school's nicknames are very different when you compare the men's teams moniker to the women's handle. The guys are the Boll Weevils and if you go to the school website you will notice that they are called the Weevils. The women on the other hand are the Cotton Blossoms. I'm not sure this is fair, but what can you do. Look up the two terms on the internet and you'll see a beautiful white just ripened field of cotton or a nasty looking insect that is heck-bent on destroying the former! Just saying …Tarleton State University. This Stephenville, Texas school's nickname is the Texans. When women's sports were added in the 1969-70 school year the female athletes wanted a distinctive nickname. Ultimately the term Tex-Anns was chosen. When a couple of female athletes in 2019 thought the distinction was ill-founded and other women supported them, the school went back to Texans for all the teams. As is often said, times change.