[Papa John]

Needless to say, the University did not like the idea of associating the University with robber barons, and, in 1981, chose to make “the Cardinal” the official mascot.

I remember, albeit fuzzily, a student vote on the mascot in 1981. It was worded vaguely, but it was basically along the lines of "Do you object to Cardinal being the official Stanford mascot?" The vote was very close, but in favor, of course, of keeping Cardinal. The president at the time, Donald Kennedy, used this "mandate" as justification for what is now the status quo.

Well, this is what I recall, so if anyone can verify or correct, it would be nice to know. The student vote isn't mentioned on any Stanford website, so maybe I'm "misremembering."

[Papa John]

Needless to say, the University did not like the idea of associating the University with robber barons, and, in 1981, chose to make “the Cardinal” the official mascot.

I remember, albeit fuzzily, a student vote on the mascot in 1981. It was worded vaguely, but it was basically along the lines of "Do you object to Cardinal being the official Stanford mascot?" The vote was very close, but in favor, of course, of keeping Cardinal. The president at the time, Donald Kennedy, used this "mandate" as justification for what is now the status quo.

Well, this is what I recall, so if anyone can verify or correct, it would be nice to know. The student vote isn't mentioned on any Stanford website, so maybe I'm "misremembering."