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Iconic University Mascots Immortalized in Bronze by BIG STATUES

Graduation is just around the corner for the Class of 2026, and there’s no better time to celebrate school pride, campus tradition, and the unforgettable mascots that unite students and alumni alike. At BIG STATUES, we specialize in creating custom bronze mascot statues for universities, colleges, and high schools across the United States.

Over the years, BIG STATUES has been commissioned to design and fabricate life-size bronze sculptures for schools including Westchester University, Metropolitan State University of Denver, East Tennessee State University, Marlin High School in Texas, and Benjamin Russell High School in Alabama. Each custom bronze statue tells a story, honoring school history, preserving tradition, and creating a lasting landmark for future generations.

East Tennessee State University’s Bronze "Bucky

In 2023, East Tennessee State University commissioned BIG STATUES to create a life-size bronze statue of their beloved mascot, Bucky the Buccaneer. After years of planning and craftsmanship, the bronze mascot sculpture was officially installed on campus in August 2025.

Today, Bucky stands as a permanent symbol of ETSU pride, welcoming freshmen, cheering on football fans, and celebrating graduating seniors year after year.

But Bucky wasn’t always ETSU’s mascot.

Originally, ETSU athletic teams were known as “The Teachers,” reflecting the university’s beginnings as a state teachers college. In 1935, the school adopted the name “The Buccaneers,” beginning a long tradition of pirate-inspired mascots.

The university’s first mascot, Captain Kidd, was actually a live goat, not a pirate. Two different goats represented ETSU from the 1950s through the 1960s before the university transitioned toward the swashbuckling pirate identity fans recognize today.

In 1980, another mascot entered the picture: Pepper the Parrot, a colorful character with a fictional backstory about surviving a storm and discovering ETSU. Pepper remained popular for years before eventually sharing the spotlight with Bucky the Buccaneer beginning in 1991.

Over the decades, Bucky’s appearance evolved, but his bold pirate personality remained the same. His modern design ultimately inspired the custom bronze mascot statue created by BIG STATUES.

According to university legend, the Buccaneers name comes from the story of pirate Jean Paul LeBucque, who supposedly searched the Appalachian region for a hidden place to bury treasure near an underground waterway known as Pirate Creek. Whether myth or history, the legend lives on through ETSU’s iconic mascot and now through its permanent bronze sculpture.

Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Bronze "Rowdy"

Also in 2023, Metropolitan State University of Denver partnered with BIG STATUES to create a life-size bronze statue of Rowdy the Roadrunner. The sculpture was installed on campus in early 2024 and quickly became a favorite campus landmark.

Rowdy now greets students on their first day of class and serves as a gathering place for photos, celebrations, and graduation traditions.

Interestingly, MSU Denver was not always represented by the Roadrunners. When the university was founded, the original mascot was a Mustang. In 1974, administrators noticed students constantly running between buildings throughout downtown Denver to attend classes. Inspired by the fast-paced campus lifestyle, students voted to adopt the Roadrunner as the university’s new mascot.

Over time, Rowdy’s design changed and modernized until the current version was finalized in 2010. Fourteen years later, BIG STATUES helped immortalize the mascot in bronze for generations of students and alumni to enjoy.

Custom Bronze Mascot Statues That Preserve School Tradition

Mascots are more than symbols on a football field. They represent identity, pride, tradition, and community. From college campuses to hometown stadiums, mascot statues create meaningful connections between students, alumni, and fans.

At BIG STATUES, we are honored to create custom bronze university mascot statues that celebrate school history and preserve campus traditions for decades to come.

To the graduating Class of 2026, congratulations. May your future be bright, your memories lasting, and your dreams larger than life.

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