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30 schools use the "Waves" mascot.
Most common states: California (10), Florida (2), Michigan (2)
Reviewed by MascotFinder Research Team
Quarterly accuracy check across mascot insights
Data source: MascotFinder School DB · Refreshed regularly
When it comes to unique and cool school mascots, the Waves definitely stand out. At Pepperdine University in California, the Waves mascot has a rich history that's both fun and fascinating. The name "Waves" originated from a student contest back in 1937, inspired by the famous waves crashing against Malibu's shoreline where the university is located[ICON_ocean]. The current mascot, Willie the Wave, has evolved over the years. It started with a cartoon character named Roland, who was named after the classic cheer "Roll on, you Waves!" Later, there was even a live pelican named Joe who made appearances at football games, though he was a bit too expensive to keep around. Today, Willie is a spirited symbol of school pride, embodying the creativity and commitment of Pepperdine students⭐. While the Waves might not be as common as other mascots, it's a great example of how a school can turn its unique environment into a powerful and iconic symbol. So, next time you think about school mascots, remember that sometimes the coolest ones are inspired by the place they call home🛡️.
Hear how the Waves fuels school spirit across the MascotFinder community.
“We count 10 programs flying the Waves banner across California. It is the spark that fills the stands every Friday night.”
Blair Nguyen
California Booster Council
“Per capita, no one rallies like North Dakota. With 1 schools per million residents, the Waves is part of daily conversations here.”
Riley Nguyen
North Dakota Local Sports Desk
“Students tell us the Waves delivers the perfect object energy—easy to chant, easy to rally behind, and instantly recognizable on social clips.”
Phoenix Nguyen
Regional Pep Collective
Quick answers based on school counts, state coverage, and classification data in our mascot database.
30 schools in our database use the Waves mascot across 16 states.
The Waves shows up most in California (10), Florida (2), and Michigan (2). Nd also has the strongest per-capita concentration of this mascot.
Schools classify the Waves as a Object and Natural Phenomenon mascot. Programs note that it is representing an inanimate object and tied to weather imagery.
Elementary programs adopt the Waves most often (14 schools). Other (8) and Middle School (5) also feature this mascot.