Students, alumni and fans of Gonzaga University hold a special place in their heart for the school’s gregarious mascot, Spike. A Zag fan’s best friend, Spike is widely recognized across campus and throughout the Zag nation for his ability to deliver a sense of togetherness and belonging.
The school’s four-legged ambassador provides a sense of identity for those sporting Spike’s logo on their apparel, and a representation of the spirit and pride that many possess for their alma mater.
Furthermore, Spike’s image helps foster a sense of community. His gray, growling mug offers a common mark that delivers a shared meaning to both old friends reuniting years after graduation, and for total strangers encountering one another for the first time, but ultimately bound by the palpable spirit of Gonzaga.
But let’s “paws” for a bit of reflection on how Spike came to be the warm-hearted mascot for Gonzaga.
Originally, GU’s nickname corresponded to the school’s colors, with the intercollegiate teams known as the “Blue and Whites.” Later, the school adopted a Fighting Irish moniker with aspirations to become the Notre Dame of the West.
However, the school realized its final nickname in 1921, after a San Diego sportswriter lauded Gonzaga’s football team for its tenacious fight and determination in a 24-0 losing effort in a Christmas Day bowl game against West Virginia University. The writer likened the team’s fight to a bulldog, and thus a new moniker was born.
Since 1921, Gonzaga has enjoyed many forms and fashions of Spike, both live bulldogs and human mascots.
The current live mascot, Q, is a pure bred English Bulldog, and is named after former men’s basketball player Quentin Hall. Q was originally presented to the athletic department following the 1999 NCAA basketball season, in which the team reached the Final Eight.
Today, Q is enjoying retirement, while his costumed counterpart regularly attends sporting events and campus functions.
In 1985, Lee Mauney became the first human Bulldog mascot, wearing the costume from 1985-88. That tradition has continued to today, where Spike can be seen regularly at every men’s and women’s basketball game.
Additionally, many representations of Spike can be found throughout campus, on students’ shirts and hats, in the form of a statue, on pictures and posters and finally at his own eatery, “Spike’s.”
