This past week, the Hopkins mascot — the blue jay — was officially given a name: Jay.
The Office of the Dean of Student Life and the Department of Athletics had jointly encouraged everyone affiliated with Hopkins to vote on a name for the blue jay mascot. The choice “Jay” was up against other finalists chosen by the Hopkins community: Baxter, Bruiser, Gilman, Jhugh and Milton.
The naming of the mascot was originated in order to generate school spirit. Hopkins is home to top-ranked athletic programs, but students are often disinterested in sporting events.
“We have pretty amazing D3 athletics, and lacrosse is great, obviously, but we have low turnout to games and school support,” SGA Executive Secretary Kyra Toomre said in an email to The News-Letter. “I was personally involved with naming the blue jay because I have been trying to increase school spirit.”
Hopkins, while often nationally recognized for its academics, boasts some of the best athletic programs in the Centennial Conference. The football team has won eight conference titles since 2002, and they are undefeated so far this season. The blue jay’s new name was revealed at their home game against Ursinus College this past weekend, which Hopkins won 24-18.
The names “Jay” and “Gilman” were the most popular. Out of 1,669 votes, Jay received 39 percent, Gilman 25 percent, Bruiser 13 percent, Milton 11 percent, Baxter eight percent and Jhugh three percent. During the game, Hopkins Athletics tweeted, “This just in, the official name of the JHU mascot is Jay, Jay the Blue Jay #Nowitsofficial.”
“Although I was not primarily responsible for the blue jay naming initiative, I think that it’s a great idea to finally give our mascot a solidified identity,” SGA Executive President Alex Schupper said. “It needs a name so students, faculty and university affiliates can better identify with our mascot rather than simply identifying it as ‘the blue jay.’”
Other schools follow the same practice; for example, Boston College’s mascot is Baldwin the Eagle. The name is meant to be a combination of the words “bald,” like bald eagle, and “win.”
Harry the Husky, University of Washington’s mascot, was given the name “Harry” after a public vote took place, much like at Hopkins.
When asked how they felt about the blue jay’s new name, many students either didn’t know about it or weren’t happy with the result.
“I didn’t realize they were naming the mascot,” freshman Holly Brockerhoff said. “‘Jay the Blue Jay’ is redundant.”
Freshman Alex Clay agreed.
“I don’t think Jay is very creative. Jay, the blue jay? Like, come on,” Clay said.
Freshman Jonathan Tai also favored a different name.
“I think it should’ve been Bruiser. I’m also confused as to where ‘Milton’ and ‘Baxter’ came from.” Tai said. “It sounds soft.”
Proponents of the name change are hopeful that the new name will encourage students to support Hopkins fall athletic teams in their last few weeks of the season.
“Let’s all turn out to the last few games this fall season,” Toomre said. “Jay the Blue Jay will be there, will you?”
