Heidelberg's Student Prince Named an Unique Mascot in College Hoops

The Heidelberg College basketball teams have been elevating themselves among the nation’s elite since the inception of both programs and amidst the 2007-08 season, Heidelberg’s on the court play has not been the only thing that has gotten noticed. Heidelberg’s mascot, the Student Prince, has been recognized as one of the top mascots in college hoops according to ESPN’s Sports Travel, The Travel 10.

In an article, “Off to College: What Name’s Got Game?,” ESPN’s SportsTravel profiles uniquely named teams that fans may not readily identify with, unless of course they have a special connection to one of the schools. The following is a list of the top-10 very best nicknames (listed in alphabetical order) for colleges that have basketball teams:

1.    Banana Slugs (University of California - Santa Cruz)
2.    Cobbers (Concordia College – Moorhead, Minn.)
3.    Geoducks (The Evergreen State College – Olympia, Wash.)
4.    Ichabods (Washburn University – Topeka, Kan.)
5.    Keelhaulers (California Maritime Academy – Vallejo)
6.    Ladies and Gents (Centenary College of Louisiana – Shreveport)
7.    Profs (Rowan University – Glassboro, N.J.)
8.    Stormy Petrels (Oglethorpe University – Atlanta, Ga.)
9.    Student Princes (Heidelberg College – Tiffin, Ohio)
10.  Trolls (Trinity Christian College – Palos Heights, Ill.)

Heidelberg alumni director Edwin Butcher was walking through downtown Tiffin one day when he noticed the marquee on the town theater promoting a movie titled "The Student Prince." As Butcher would soon discover, the picture was about a prince who attended Heidelberg University in Germany and, after some time, overcame his shyness to thrive socially and academically.

After leaving the theater, Butcher began referring to the athletes at Heidelberg as "student princes," and the nickname was well received. First it appeared in campus publications. Then students and sports writers began using it. And finally the players came to view themselves as Student Princes.



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