Why is Akron's mascot a kangaroo?

Question

Her name is zippy the kangaroo. Zippy is short for zippers, so how does that make sense to be a kangaroo?

Answer 1

I read the history on that and I belive it has something to do with a

huge plant in Akron that was a huge contributer to the program in some form or fashion, an old factory that makes zippers, well since a kangaroo has a pouch it obvious that this animal closely resemble the university ties with this company, get it "zippy" kangaroo nick name is the Akron Zips. Use to look exactly like the SD Chargers too, with the lightning bolts on thier helmets, has it changed I dont know havent seenthem play in a while.

Answer 2

In 1927, a campus-wide contest was conducted to choose a nickname for the University's athletic teams. Student Margaret Hamlin suggested "Zippers," which was also the name of a popular rubber overshoe sold by Akron's B.F. Goodrich Co. In 1950, then-athletic director Kenneth Red Cochrane shortened the nickname to the "Zips."

The evolution of Zippy, The University of Akron’s mascot, began 54 years ago when the student council, under president Dave Frye, decided the University needed a mascot.

“Zippy” the kangaroo was officially declared UA’s mascot on May 1, 1953. d**k Hansford, UA student council adviser, recommended the kangaroo, and it was approved by the council.

The first known printed reference to the mascot as “Zippy” was a 1965 Zips football press brochure. The Buchtelite's first use of the name “Zippy” came Sept. 24, 1965, under a photo of the cheerleaders listing “Mascot - ‘Zippy’ - Charles Huettner.”

In 2007, Zippy was the winner of the national Capital One Mascot of the Year Challenge.

Answer 3

Good answer Doug.  I agree with Doug.