5 Suggestions for UTRGV's Nickname

It's official.  Bucky is gone.

When UTPA makes the transition to UTRGV, like the name UTPA, Bucky will also be eradicated (that's probably too harsh a word).  

While I understand that nickname for UTRGV has already been named, it's also important to understand that "vaqueros" is an awful name. The reasons for why it's an awful name are long, but here's the cliff notes version of why it's a bad choice: the change is unnecessary, the nickname is sexist, lacks diversity, allows for easy-to-pick racial humor that degrades the student, doesn't have a significant history (just because it's a Spanish doesn't mean it has this dramatic history with the RGV.  And just because someone says there's history, doesn't mean that name vaquero is particular to Valley area, and the name is just awful).

Being a giving student, I feel like it's my duty to serve the university, so here are my five suggestions for UTRGV's nickname. 

1. Sharks

Sharks are fierce, threatening and command respect.  Plus, there aren't too many pro and collegiate sports teams that have that nickname (the only that comes to mind is the NHL's San Jose Sharks).  The look of the mascot could be really cool as could the school shirts, and the idea of playing Jaws music at athletic events is too good to not have happen.

2. Pizza

There are two types of people in this world, those that love pizza, and those that don't.

Don't trust the latter group of people.  

Pizza is practically universally beloved, and it's about time a school's athletic nickname dawn the pizza name.  UTRGV should be innovative and become the "Fighting Pizza".  Seriously though, you want a unique nickname that will generate headlines? Look no further than pizza. 

3. Direwolves

Wolves are great.  Game of Thrones is great.

To have the opportunity to create a nickname that references both wolves and Game of Thrones, and not use that opportunity is not acceptable. Direwolves are one of my favorite parts of Game of Thrones, and it would also be one of my favorite parts about UTRGV is the university decided that direwolves would be the athletic nickname.

4. Rabbits

Continuing on the theme of unique nicknames, I'm fairly certain that UTRGV would be the first college to have the nickname rabbits.

Rabbits may be fluffy and unassuming, but a successful athletic program could lead to newfound respect for a species of animal that has long deserved it.

5. Stethoscope

The big addition to UTRGV will be it's medical school, so why not pay homage to it?