Mascot
UCSC’s mascot is the banana slug[5] (specifically, Ariolimax dolichophallus).[111] In 1981, when the university began participating in NCAA intercollegiate sports, the then-chancellor and some student athletes declared the mascot to be the “sea lions.” Most students disliked the new mascot and offered an alternative mascot, the banana slug. In 1986, students voted via referendum to declare the banana slug the official mascot of UCSC — a vote the chancellor refused to honor, arguing that only athletes should choose the mascot. When a poll of athletes showed that they, too, wanted to be “Slugs,” the chancellor relented. The June 16, 1986, issue of People magazine featured a full-page spread dedicated to the selection of the Banana Slug as the official mascot of UCSC (see page 85).[112] A sea lion statue can still be seen in front of the Thimann Hall lecture building.[113] In February 2008, ESPN Sports Travel named the UCSC Banana Slug as one of the ten best nicknames in college basketball.[114] The “Fiat Slug” logo prominently featured on campus is a trademark of UCSC owned by the Regents. It was developed by two students during the mascot controversy, who later incorporated as “Oxford West” and licensed their design from the Regents to produce clothing inspired by the university.
The slug also is featured along with the school’s logo on Vincent Vega’s T-shirt during the 1994 film Pulp Fiction.[115]
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