Why The Navy Goat?

[Hogfaniam]

"Pacing the sidelines at the weekend's Army-Navy game will be the U.S. Naval Academy's famous goat mascot, Bill XXXIII. At first blush, a goat seems to be an unusual mascot for the Navy as opposed to something fiercer and maritime — like a shark or barracuda — but goats have a long history with sailors that led to their revered position at USNA."

http://news.usni.org/2014/12/12/brief-illustrated-history-navy-goat#more-10360

[DeltaBoy]

The Goat is a beloved Mascot.

[Inhogswetrust]

I've wondered about that with the Tar Hills moreso................

BUT if you really have to wonder about a mascot try the rebel black bears.

[Ragnar Hogbrok]

I've wondered about that with the Tar Hills moreso................

BUT if you really have to wonder about a mascot try the rebel black bears.

Just FYI, Tar Heels is a nickname that began during the Civil War.  A North Carolina regiment was renowned to be so tough to force back, that it was like their "heels were stuck in tar."  The regiment was known as the Tar Heels.

Here's what UNC has to say about it: 

http://www.unc.edu/about/history-and-traditions/whats-a-tar-heel/

[Inhogswetrust]

Just FYI, Tar Heels is a nickname that began during the Civil War.  A North Carolina regiment was renowned to be so tough to force back, that it was like their "heels were stuck in tar."  The regiment was known as the Tar Heels.

Here's what UNC has to say about it: 

http://www.unc.edu/about/history-and-traditions/whats-a-tar-heel/

I knew the Tar Heels story but I didn't know about why a Ram (goat) mascot until I looked it up after this thread started. It was a nickname for one of their guys a long time ago.