Gunrock and the Davis cows face off for the title of UC Davis mascot

After a tumultuous journey through protests, primaries, debates and elections, the results are finally out

It is no secret that the mascot here at UC Davis plays a crucial role in commanding unity and spirit from Aggies at our games and rallies. Our hearts swell with pride as we pass the massive Gunrock inflatable on our way to a basketball game, and our cheers erupt into practical screams as a man in a mustang costume boogies onto the football field.

The decision of who to designate as our mascot is not to be taken lightly; mascots have changed the fates of games from failures to victories, summoning battle cries from audiences powerful enough to move athletes to tears! And yet, we’ve allowed Gunrock an unquestioned, longstanding, authoritarian reign as mascot for the last century.

Three months ago, a coalition of students protested to bring democracy back to our mascot selection process. They cried for more options, with many students expressing their love for other iconic Davis fauna.

One Aggie advocated for the wild turkeys.

“They’re unassuming at first, but get surrounded by a flock of them and look one dead in the eye — you wouldn’t hesitate to call it the fiercest animal in Davis,” they said.

Another student highlighted the loveable characteristics of our campus squirrels.

“I honestly think those naughty little squirrels would make a good mascot,” the student said. “The way they sneak up out of nowhere right into where you’re trying to bike — we should embrace that underdog energy during our games.”

Regardless of whether a menacing glare or “underdog energy” is adequate criteria for a mascot, students agreed that different candidates should be evaluated and voted on. As protests tore through campus, ASUCD succumbed to demands and held a primary election for the position.

On the ballot were the aforementioned sneaky squirrels, the arboretum ducks, the cows, the turkeys, the creepy library Scottish Terriers and of course, Gunrock. After a few weeks, the results were released. Aggies had narrowed it down to the two most veteran Davis icons: Gunrock and the cows (with the turkeys trailing behind as a third-party candidate).

Last week, we witnessed a heated debate between the two frontrunners. Compelling points were made, arguments were derailed, tempers raged and insults were flung.

The cows started off the debate by claiming that “When people think of UC Davis, we are the first thing that comes to mind.”

Gunrock highlighted his incumbency in his rebuttal, stating that “having been the mascot so long, I’m the first thing you picture when you think of UCD school spirit.”

The cows then argued a different point, positing that they could better contribute to the (literal) atmosphere of games and rallies.

“There’s something to be said about the stench of cow manure emanating in the air that just brings us Aggies together,” the cows mooed.

Gunrock retorted that since manure isn’t unique to cattle, stallion droppings could stink up stadiums just as well. The cows struck again, asserting that they had a much better cheer.

“Cows go MOOOooOOOO!” the cows called out emphatically. “What does the mustang say? Whinny?”

Riled up, Gunrock protested that the athletic capabilities of mustangs were at least far more inspiring than those of the cows, purporting that the cows would likely “get so distracted grazing a football field that they would never think to actually run across it.” Heated, the cows released an incredibly offensive string of curses toward the mustang, referring to him as “pony,” “horse” and even “d*nkey.” Nickering, snorting and pawing at the ground, Gunrock looked about as if ready to charge.

With that, the mascot debate came to an early end, with ASUCD members escorting the candidates off stage. Hopefully, Aggies aren’t banking on good sportsmanship as one of their top criteria for a mascot.

Now, a week later, the final decision is out. With a 55% majority of votes, the winning mascot of UC Davis is…Gunrock! In quite a display of loyalty and pride toward their beloved mustang, students have voted that Gunrock is here to stay. Looks like Aggies get to keep cheering: Neighhhh!!! (the cows may have had a point).

Written by: Saniya Syed — sansyed@ucdavis.edu

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