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After their narrow 2026 Mid-Atlantic Conference Tournament championship win, many college basketball fans became more familiar with the University of Akron Zips.
However, few fans know what a Zip is and the surprising history behind Akron's team name. While many only know a zipper as a clothing item, this wasn't always the case.
Here is everything you need to know about the history of Akron's nickname and mascot.
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Why is Akron's nickname the Zips?
In 1927, the University of Akron held a contest around its campus to choose a nickname for the University's sports teams. According to the school's website, a student named Margaret Hamlin shared her idea, which was the "Zippers." This was also the name of a popular rubber overshoe sold by B.F. Goodrich Co., a local Akron shoe company. After being one of the final choices for the team name, Hamlin's idea was voted in by students.
In 1950, just 23 years later, the school's athletic director, Kenneth Red Cochrane, shortened the nickname to the "Zips." The name still stands today and is one of college sports' most unique team names.
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What is a Zip?
A zip is the abbreviated name of Akron's former team name, the Zippers. They were formerly named the Zippers, but former Akron athletic director Kenneth Red Cochrane had it shortened to the "Zips."
Zippers were also the name of a popular 1920s rubber overshoe sold by Akron's B.F. Goodrich Co.
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What is Akron's mascot?
Akron's kangaroo mascot is known as Zippy. In 1953, Dick Hansford, the school's vice president, suggested recomended the kangaroo.
Zippy was eventually designed later that year and featured a zipper across its pouch. This signified that Zippy was female, which came as a surprise because a female mascot was rare across sports (and still is).
Zippy made her official debut in 1955 during Akron's Rubber Bowl football game. In 2007, she won the National Capital One Mascot of the Year Challenge.
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