On April 1, Shippensburg University social media posted a video message from President Charles Patterson making a “big” announcement. Patterson claimed that while searching the fourth floor of Old Main, ballots were discovered from the 2005 election that ultimately decided Big Red as the new mascot for the university. 

The newly discovered ballots showed that the true winner was in fact the fan-favorite Shippo the Hippo, and that effective immediately, it would be taking over as the face of Shippensburg. Only one problem — it was one big April Fool’s joke. However, this re-ignited some of the passions that students have for Shippo, and many now want it to be genuinely considered as Big Red’s replacement. 

There’s something about a hippo mascot that just feels so positive and welcoming, undoubtedly more so than a redtailed hawk (which everyone thinks is a parrot) that has teeth for some reason. Sure, the red-tailed hawk has ties with Shippensburg, but if interviewing 10 students, maybe nine of them would tell me that Big Red is a parrot. Friends will claim that they would transfer schools if our mascot became a hippo, and in some ways, you can see where they’re coming from.

 “The Shippensburg Hippos” doesn’t exactly have the most intimidating ring to it, but others would say that adds to the appeal. It makes sense to fully embrace the idea that we should keep Big Red and continue to be named the Shippensburg Raiders (although that title really only applies to student athletes) while Shippo and Big Red reconcile their beef and Shippo becomes Big Red’s first mate. Wake up America. 

Many have no special allegiance to Shippo, but Big Red certainly has their issues. It’s been 17 years since we voted. Perhaps there should be another election. One that should be called to end Big Red’s tenure.

 The notion of having a hippo as our mascot does raise some concerns. For starters, it looks ridiculous and unassertive (thinking of our representation in athletics). It looks way too goofy and ridiculous. Also, what connection does a university in central PA have to hippos? The same could be asked for a red-tailed hawk pirate? Shippensburg, despite the university’s nautical theming, has nothing to do with ships. It’s named after Edward Shippen. Perhaps we should do away with the whole faux ship visage. Amongst athletes, some teammates say that they wouldn’t like to have a hippo as their mascot because it would be ridiculous. It could be funny to have Shippo as a second mascot, but not sure how well everyone would take it as the only one. 

It should also be added that Big Red is more relevant to the school’s Raider theme because it is a pirate. Pirates and raiders are relatively synonymous with one another, and red is also one of our colors. Maybe the hawk does not have any valuable connection, but a hippopotamus really does not either, beyond a funny play on words. If you want a better ‘play-on-word’ mascot, perhaps the “Ship Shark” would be an interesting idea to explore.

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