Zippy: The Enduring Legacy of the University of Akron's Mascot
The University of Akron's athletics history dates back nearly 130 years. The Zips' intercollegiate athletics program includes a wide array of sports for both men and women, such as basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, indoor and outdoor track and field, volleyball, baseball, and football. The university's athletic teams are known as the Zips, a nickname with a unique origin tied to Akron's history as a rubber manufacturing hub. The mascot, Zippy, a kangaroo, has become an enduring symbol of spirit, pride, and enthusiasm at The University of Akron (UA).
From "Zippers" to "Zips": The Origin of a Nickname
It can be easy to trace the roots of team names and mascots. The Cleveland Browns are named after original coach and co-founder Paul Brown. The University of Dayton is named the Flyers because Orville and Wilbur Wright designed the Wright Flyer in Dayton.
In 1925, a campus-wide contest was held to choose a nickname for the University's athletic teams. After a three-way vote-one by the student body, one by the University lettermen and one by the local sports writers and faculty representatives-the winner was the "Zippers," inspired from a very popular rubber overshoe (over 500,000 sold the first year) invented by Akron’s B.F. Goodrich introduced its rubber galoshes in 1923 and it made a lasting impression on the world. The footwear featured an ingenious invention, a slide fastener with interlocking metal teeth. The product’s original suggested name was the "Mystik Boot," but the name just did not work for Goodrich President Bertram G. "What we need is an action word," he told a group of sales representatives. Student Margaret Hamlin suggested "Zippers," which was also the name of a popular rubber overshoe sold by Akron's B.F. Goodrich Co. As Beacon Journal reporter and history expert Mark J. Price wrote in 2004, the other more serious contenders for Akron’s nickname were the Cheveliers, Golden Blue Devils, Hillbillies, Rubbernecks and Tip Toppers.
The selection of the kangaroo for a mascot brought forth the wrath of The Buchtelite and the Akron Beacon Journal as the name was chosen without the benefit of a campus-wide vote. It is difficult to imagine such dissent given that Zippy is one of the most beloved symbols of the University. In fact, during an eleven-week national mascot contest, Zippy defeated all challengers.
By 1950, zippers were more prominent fastenings in trousers. Zippers was shortened to just “Zips” in 1950 - who wants to be known as the fastener of clothes?
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The Birth of Zippy: A Kangaroo's Arrival
The evolution of Zippy, The University of Akron’s mascot, began 54 years ago when the student council, under president Dave Frye, decided the University needed a mascot. That didn’t happen until 1953 on a suggestion from Dick Hansford, UA vice president and dean emeritus of student services.
The current Akron Zips mascot is a kangaroo called Zippy, and it’s one of just eight female mascots in all of college football.
Dick Hansford, UA student council adviser, liked the kangaroo when Akron chose "Zippers" as its nickname. He recalled the suggestion was also inspired by a popular comic strip at the time called "Kicky, the fighting kangaroo." “Let’s go with something unique,” Hansford told the Akron Beacon Journal. “There’s just so many bulldogs and lions and tigers and whatnot. Hansford’s theory was that while cuddly and cute in a cartoon world, some kangaroos are aggressive, powerful, and agile. In a sense, you could lift the description straight from the scouting report of a college football player.
“Zippy” the kangaroo was officially declared UA’s mascot on May 1, 1953. Two years later, a committee suggested the kangaroo as a mascot ("Kangaroos" was one of the choices in 1925), and it was accepted by the student council on May 1, 1953. It was difficult to imagine such dissent given that Zippy is one of the most beloved symbols of the University. Joseph T.
Zippy's Transformation and Debut
However, an actual costumed mascot didn’t appear until 1955. No one recalls who made the arrangements for the first costume, but a paper-mache head was produced along with a brown furry uniform that zipped up the back. Pete Demming debuted that first mascot uniform in 1954, at the inaugural Acme-Zip Game - not as "Zippy" but as "Mr.
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The first rendering of Zippy later that year featured a zipper across its pouch. That also confirmed that Zippy was female while most colleges opt for male or gender neutral mascots. But Zippy didn’t make her official debut until 1955 at an Acme-Zips game at the Rubber Bowl. The transition from Mr.
The first known printed reference to the mascot as “Zippy” was a 1965 Zips football press brochure. The Buchtelite's first use of the name “Zippy” came Sept. In the 70 years that the Zips have had a mascot, it has undergone many changes. Zippy sports an entirely new look, name change, and presumable gender alteration, given that the original Akron Zips mascot was called Mr.
Zippy's Accolades and Impact
Since then, Zippy has been synonymous with UA.Since then, she's been named the best mascot in the country in 2007, the best mascot in the NCAA Tournament and been immortalized on several bobblehead dolls. She even went on a date with another local mascot. In 2007 Zippy was chosen as one of twelve collegiate mascots to compete for Capital One Bowl mascot of the year.
Zippy’s presence at events is made possible by a devoted team of 15 talented students who embody the spirit of UA’s beloved mascot. These students receive scholarships for their dedication and are compensated for every public appearance they make. From campus events to community gatherings, and even local birthday parties, the Zippy program provides students with an incredible leadership experience while bringing joy to fans of all ages. Visit Zippy’s page online at uakron.edu/zippy.
Zippy's Groundbreaking NIL Deal
For more than 70 years, Zippy has been an enduring symbol of spirit, pride and enthusiasm at The University of Akron (UA). As the only female kangaroo mascot in college sports, Zippy has always stood out from the crowd.
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Now, she’s making history yet again - this time by signing a groundbreaking Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal. This multi-year partnership with the County of Summit ADM Board will see Zippy playing a pivotal role in raising awareness for behavioral health initiatives. The Board provides life-changing services in prevention, treatment and recovery support, helping individuals navigate some of the toughest moments in life. Just as Zippy electrifies the crowd at UA games and events, she will now help energize Summit County by bringing attention to these critical mental health resources.
The NIL rule, introduced in 2021, revolutionized college athletics by allowing student-athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness. Until recently, this opportunity was primarily reserved for athletes, but Zippy’s groundbreaking agreement is shifting that narrative. With this deal, she joins the ranks of a select few mascots who have leveraged their brand to sign endorsement deals, make paid appearances and contribute to important causes.
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