Meet the Mascots: IUPUI's Jinx and Jawz the Jaguars
The Summit League features the NCAA's most unique collection of one-of-a-kind nicknames among its member institutions. Within U.S. college athletics, four names are exclusively held by Summit League schools: Mastodons (IPFW), Golden Grizzlies (Oakland), Jackrabbits (South Dakota State) and Leathernecks (Western Illinois). In addition, the names Coyotes (South Dakota) and Kangaroos (UMKC) are unique to NCAA Division I athletics.
Each Tuesday this summer, The Summit League will highlight the story behind the origin of each member institution's name and its mascot.
This week we will take a closer look into the IUPUI mascots,
Jinx and Jawz the Jaguars
IUPUI
Nickname: Jaguars
Mascots: Jinx and Jawz
In 1998, IUPUI changed its official nickname from the Metros to the Jaguars, a key part of a dynamic major change of direction for the IUPUI Department of Intercollegiate Athletics. At the same time, IUPUI joined the Mid-Continent Conference (now The Summit League) and moved from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I.
The Jaguar was chosen because it represents the spirit of IUPUI: powerful, swift and confident. It reflects the energized spirit of our urban institution.
The Summit League affiliation – IUPUI’s first conference membership – links the campus with universities stretching across the Midwest.
Voters drawn from students, staff faculty, alumni and friends of the university chose the nickname Jaguars. In the first round of nominations, the original nickname – the Metros – remained, along with such oddities as River Rats. The final ballot included such choices as City Cats, River Hawks, Indy Wolves, Indy Cats, City Hawks, Metro Cats, Indy Hawks and Circle Cats.
Jinx the Jaguar has been representing IUPUI since 1998 when the Jaguars began playing in the NCAA’s Division I Athletics. While he carried all of the weight of promoting IUPUI for the first eight years, Jinx’s long lost cousin came in to help spread Jaguar Fever in 2006. Since then Jinx has concentrated his efforts on community involvement, scholastic endeavors and endearing young kids everywhere to the Jaguars of IUPUI.
Jawz is the perfect personification of IUPUI athletics – He is powerful, swift and confident. He’s seen most often times courtside at Jaguars athletics events. Jawz reflects best the urban energy and spirit of our institution.
