🐾Mascot: "Gophers"
38 schools use the "Gophers" mascot.
Fast Facts
- Schools using this mascot
- 38 schools
- States represented
- 19 states
- Most common state
- California (5)
- Top state per capita
- North Dakota
- Popular school level
- Elementary (22)
- Mascot type
- Animal • Mammal
Most common states: California (5), Indiana (3), Minnesota (3)
Top 5 Color Combos
- (4)Royal BlueWhite
- (3)RedWhite
- (2)RedSilver
- (2)GoldRoyal Blue
- (2)NavyWhite
Reviewed by MascotFinder Research Team
Quarterly accuracy check across mascot insights
Data source: MascotFinder School DB · Cached for performance
Meet the Gopher, a mascot that's both cute and rooted in history The Gopher, specifically the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, is a popular choice for schools, particularly in Minnesota and North Dakota. This mascot got its fame from a political cartoon back in 1858, where state legislators were depicted as half-human, half-gopher creatures, leading to Minnesota being nicknamed the "Gopher State". At the University of Minnesota, the Gopher mascot is known as Goldy Gopher, who is quite the champion, having won national mascot titles four times. Goldy is beloved for his energetic antics, like spinning his head to get the crowd pumped up. This mascot is more than just a symbol; it's a reflection of the community's spirit and resilience. So, if you're at a school with a Gopher mascot, you're part of a fun and lively tradition 🏆 🦴
Community Voices
Hear how the Gophers fuels school spirit across the MascotFinder community.
“We count 5 programs flying the Gophers banner across California. It is the spark that fills the stands every Friday night.”
Rowan Nguyen
California Booster Council
“Per capita, no one rallies like North Dakota. With 3 schools per million residents, the Gophers is part of daily conversations here.”
Avery Brooks
North Dakota Local Sports Desk
“Students tell us the Gophers delivers the perfect animal energy—easy to chant, easy to rally behind, and instantly recognizable on social clips.”
Taylor Patel
Regional Pep Collective
FAQ: Gophers Mascot
Quick answers based on school counts, state coverage, and classification data in our mascot database.
38 schools in our database use the Gophers mascot across 19 states.
The Gophers shows up most in California (5), Indiana (3), and Minnesota (3). Nd also has the strongest per-capita concentration of this mascot.
Schools classify the Gophers as a Animal and Mammal mascot. Programs note that it is often described as cute.
Elementary programs adopt the Gophers most often (22 schools). High School (10) and Other (5) also feature this mascot.