You Decide: Which Banana Slug Should Be The New UCSC Sports Icon?

SANTA CRUZ, CA — The University of California, Santa Cruz wants the public's help in deciding which new banana slug logo should represent its athletics department.

The banana slug has been the official mascot of UC Santa Cruz since 1986, the year students raised money to hold a referendum and decide the fate of the university's mascot, according to the school. Students voted for the banana slug over the former mascot — the sea lion — 15 to 1.

Over the years, various teams at UC Santa Cruz have adopted different versions of the mascot. The university now seeks to identify one logo that can be used for the entire athletic department.

Voters have already narrowed down the choices to the top five logos and selected a font. Now voters are asked to select their favorite of the top five slugs and choose the slug's facial expression.

Some voters have already weighed in on the look they'd like the next banana slug to have:

“I think the slug should at least look somewhat intimidating!" one wrote. "It’s a little harder to take the mascot seriously if it just has a friendly demeanor. ”

"A minimalist and accurate slug logo is what we need," wrote another.

What do you think? Tell the university by participating in the poll here. The current phase of voting closes April 21.

Read more about the effort here.