[teejers1]

I was at Stanford 1980-85, and there was a mascot vote during that time, too (1983, maybe?). I can't remember the details, though, but maybe "Bollards" was somehow relevant for that vote?

I believe that vote is the one Terry refers to in his post (I was there same time, and I recall Robber Barons winning the popular vote).

One amusing write-in candidate:  the Steaming Manhole Covers.  Way too Inside Farm, but nice alliteration (on first two words anyway):  here come the Stanford Steaming Manhole Covers, the Covers are looking good and hoping to . . . cover?  (sorry . . . that was bad).

[teejers1]

I was at Stanford 1980-85, and there was a mascot vote during that time, too (1983, maybe?). I can't remember the details, though, but maybe "Bollards" was somehow relevant for that vote?

I believe that vote is the one Terry refers to in his post (I was there same time, and I recall Robber Barons winning the popular vote).

One amusing write-in candidate:  the Steaming Manhole Covers.  Way too Inside Farm, but nice alliteration (on first two words anyway):  here come the Stanford Steaming Manhole Covers, the Covers are looking good and hoping to . . . cover?  (sorry . . . that was bad).

[Crafter Artisan]

Could Stanford possibly be the Squirrels, after one of the campus's most common native fauna?

[Crafter Artisan]

Could Stanford possibly be the Squirrels, after one of the campus's most common native fauna?

[PVTree]

Stanford Salamanders. They took over Lake Lagunita, They can take over being the Stanford mascot.

[PVTree]

Stanford Salamanders. They took over Lake Lagunita, They can take over being the Stanford mascot.

[here4WBB]

You would think that Stanford would have a better nickname than a color.

Robberbarons was the cleverest but somebody will drag something sinister about Leland Sr. A safe choice would be a ferocious animal but Great White won’t work in the political climate. Grizzlies is a non starter because of the Golden Bears and the effete UCLA Bruins. You could do a deal with the shoe company but Antifa would attack the campus if Pumas was chosen.

I keep coming back to “Raptors.” Or “Velociraptors.” I would take “Harriers” but some anti-war guy would object because of the old British attack jet. “Red Tails” could be construed as war like, “Sharp Skinned” doesn’t work and “Bald Eagles” with a helmet decal of Ted Danson without his rug would be cool but obtuse. Anyone object to “Kestrals?”

Of course if your team is the Raptors you need a couple of head hunting safeties like Kenny Easley and at Stanford that has become a non-starter.

At one of the school votes, I voted for Robber Barons (think it won, too - but admin nixed it).
Next best:  Gryphons.

I was an undergrad in 1975 when the last vote was held and Robber Barons won.  It was a grand name.  The administration overruled the students.  https://www.businessinsider.in/The-story...874246.cms

[here4WBB]

You would think that Stanford would have a better nickname than a color.

Robberbarons was the cleverest but somebody will drag something sinister about Leland Sr. A safe choice would be a ferocious animal but Great White won’t work in the political climate. Grizzlies is a non starter because of the Golden Bears and the effete UCLA Bruins. You could do a deal with the shoe company but Antifa would attack the campus if Pumas was chosen.

I keep coming back to “Raptors.” Or “Velociraptors.” I would take “Harriers” but some anti-war guy would object because of the old British attack jet. “Red Tails” could be construed as war like, “Sharp Skinned” doesn’t work and “Bald Eagles” with a helmet decal of Ted Danson without his rug would be cool but obtuse. Anyone object to “Kestrals?”

Of course if your team is the Raptors you need a couple of head hunting safeties like Kenny Easley and at Stanford that has become a non-starter.

At one of the school votes, I voted for Robber Barons (think it won, too - but admin nixed it).
Next best:  Gryphons.

I was an undergrad in 1975 when the last vote was held and Robber Barons won.  It was a grand name.  The administration overruled the students.  https://www.businessinsider.in/The-story...874246.cms

[Leftcoast]

There was a vote in the fall of my freshman year (81/82, so yeah, I'm ancient).  I think I voted for Gryphons.  

I remember I wasn't knowledgeable on the "Indian" name history and attended a meeting held by the Indian club explaining their objections.  It was an area of particular interest to me since my high school (which included a lot of tribal land) was named "The Chieftains" with full approval of the local native American population.  (Still is for that matter).  In any case, I found their case convincing and was fine with the name change.  I remember debating the poetic "Steaming Manhole Covers" and edgy "Robber Barons" as write-ins before going vanilla with my vote.  Wish I'd voted "Steaming Manhole Covers" now.

President Kennedy, who was well-loved at the time, called it an advisory vote and went with the singular "Cardinal".  Contrary to what I've seen elsewhere, we were told the vote wasn't binding but it was unclear who would make the final decision. Kennedy's explanation was that current students were only one of the important stakeholders along with Alumni and staff and that he was the right person to weigh all input and make a final decision.

[Leftcoast]

There was a vote in the fall of my freshman year (81/82, so yeah, I'm ancient).  I think I voted for Gryphons.  

I remember I wasn't knowledgeable on the "Indian" name history and attended a meeting held by the Indian club explaining their objections.  It was an area of particular interest to me since my high school (which included a lot of tribal land) was named "The Chieftains" with full approval of the local native American population.  (Still is for that matter).  In any case, I found their case convincing and was fine with the name change.  I remember debating the poetic "Steaming Manhole Covers" and edgy "Robber Barons" as write-ins before going vanilla with my vote.  Wish I'd voted "Steaming Manhole Covers" now.

President Kennedy, who was well-loved at the time, called it an advisory vote and went with the singular "Cardinal".  Contrary to what I've seen elsewhere, we were told the vote wasn't binding but it was unclear who would make the final decision. Kennedy's explanation was that current students were only one of the important stakeholders along with Alumni and staff and that he was the right person to weigh all input and make a final decision.

[82lsju]

There was a vote in the fall of my freshman year (81/82, so yeah, I'm ancient).  I think I voted for Gryphons.  

then I'm more ancient since I was a senior then.....

couple of Daily articles from then

https://archives.stanforddaily.com/1981/...E4#article

https://archives.stanforddaily.com/1981/...E4#article

[82lsju]

There was a vote in the fall of my freshman year (81/82, so yeah, I'm ancient).  I think I voted for Gryphons.  

then I'm more ancient since I was a senior then.....

couple of Daily articles from then

https://archives.stanforddaily.com/1981/...E4#article

https://archives.stanforddaily.com/1981/...E4#article