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4 schools use the "Tars" mascot.
Most common states: Illinois (2), Michigan (2)
Reviewed by MascotFinder Research Team
Quarterly accuracy check across mascot insights
Data source: MascotFinder School DB · Refreshed regularly
Hey there Let's talk about one of the coolest and most unique school mascots out there: the Tars. A "Tar" is actually an old-fashioned term for a sailor, particularly those from the days of tall sailing ships. Rollins College in Florida is one of the most famous schools to use this mascot, and the story goes that it originated during World War I when a Navy vessel was stationed on Lake Virginia near the campus. The students started calling the sailors "Tars," and the nickname stuck, eventually replacing the old "Blue and Gold" teams. This mascot is pretty rare, but it's rich in history and has a certain swashbuckling charm to it. Imagine cheering on your school's teams with a mascot that evokes the spirit of adventurous sailors from centuries ago – it's pretty awesome So next time you hear about the Tars, remember they're not just any ordinary sailors; they're part of a unique tradition that sets their school apart.
Hear how the Tars fuels school spirit across the MascotFinder community.
“We count 2 programs flying the Tars banner across Illinois. It is the spark that fills the stands every Friday night.”
Avery Lopez
Illinois Booster Council
“Per capita, no one rallies like Michigan. With 2 schools per million residents, the Tars is part of daily conversations here.”
Taylor Hughes
Michigan Local Sports Desk
“Students tell us the Tars delivers the perfect person energy—easy to chant, easy to rally behind, and instantly recognizable on social clips.”
Harper Kim
Regional Pep Collective
Quick answers based on school counts, state coverage, and classification data in our mascot database.
4 schools in our database use the Tars mascot across 2 states.
The Tars shows up most in Illinois (2) and Michigan (2). Mi also has the strongest per-capita concentration of this mascot.
Schools classify the Tars as a Person and Sailor mascot. Programs note that it is inspired by a historical figure.
High School programs adopt the Tars most often (3 schools). Other (1) also feature this mascot.