What is a Quaker? Explaining the origin of Penn's nickname, mascot history
What exactly is a Quaker? Here's what to know about Penn's mascot.
What is a Quaker? Explaining the origin of Penn's nickname, mascot history originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
After their thrilling 2026 Ivy League Tournament championship win, many college basketball fans became more familiar with the University of Pennsylvania Quakers. However, few fans know about the colonial ties of the school's mascot. Philadelphia, where UPenn is based, is also known as "Quaker City," and Pennsylvania was originally founded as a safe haven for all religious practices.
The UPenn mascot has evolved over time. Traditionally, the Quaker was always dressed in 1700s clothing, but today the mascot wears the school's athletic uniforms. Here is everything you need to know about the history of UPenn's mascot.
MARCH MADNESS HQ: Live NCAA bracket | TV schedule | Printable bracket Why is Penn's nickname the Quakers? Despite UPenn not being a Quaker institution, its mascot is a tribute to William Penn, the Quaker who founded Pennsylvania. According to The Penn Gazette , the first sighting of the Penn Quaker mascot appeared in 1949.