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Throwback Thursday: Picking a Mascot

Mavericks

"Victory" the Maverick, 1973

Each week we'll share a University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) photo on our homepage as part of the popular "Throwback Thursday" series.
Check back for a celebration of UNO's history, and to learn more about what's happening on campus and in our community, and future plans for the university.
Visit the UNO Criss Library Flickr photostream for even more photos.

"Mavs? Unicorns? Roadrunners?"

From the UNO Alumni Association

Mavs? Unicorns? Roadrunners?

Fifty-one votes.

That’s all it took for the Indians to become the Mavericks — and to avoid becoming the Unicorns.

What’s this, you ask?

In the fall of 1971, the University of Nebraska at Omaha decided to ditch its Indians moniker and try on a new mascot. In conjunction with homecoming festivities that year, a student election was held to determine the new nickname.

The final tally:

  • Mavericks 566
  • Unicorns 515
  • Roadrunners 397
  • Demons 346
  • Indians 0

The change was announced prior to the newly named Mavs’ game against Northern Colorado.

UNO had been known as the Indians from 1939 to 1971.

mascot 1973

"Victor E. Maverick" in 1973

Maverick Monument 2014

UNO welcomed a 1,500-pound addition to the UNO campus in the form of an eight-foot-high, bronze bull statue known as the “Maverick Monument" in August 2014.

The Maverick Monument was "unleashed" following the New Student Convocation.

Learn more

Maverick Monument