California College Nicknames Trivia Quiz

Answer: Trojans

The University of Southern California, which is normally referred to as USC, was established in Los Angeles in 1880. The Trojans nickname is credited to Los Angeles Times sports editor Owen Bird, and dates from the 1910's. The school's women athletes are sometimes called by the alternative nickname of "Women of Troy". USC were members of the Pac-12 Conference for many decades before moving to the Big Ten in 2024.

The Trojans have claimed well over 100 national titles in various sports, with track & field, baseball, tennis and (American) football being among their most successful disciplines.

Answer: Toreros

The University of San Diego (USD) was founded in 1949, originally as two separate men's and women's colleges, before merging into one institution in 1972. The Toreros nickname (Spanish for bullfighters) was chosen by the school president in 1958. USD are members of the West Coast Conference for most sports, with their gridiron squad competing in the Pioneer League.

In 2022, the school won their first Division I-AA national crown, in men's rugby.

Answer: Golden Bears

The University of California, Berkeley (Cal) was founded in 1868 in Alameda County. The school's Golden Bears moniker dates back to 1895 when their track & field team toured the country, displaying a banner with the state's grizzly bear symbol on it. Cal were long-time members of the Pac-12 Conference until 2024, when they moved to the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The school has won numerous national titles, with their greatest successes coming in swimming, men's water polo and women's rowing.

Answer: Hornets

California State University, Sacramento, normally referred to as Sacramento State, was founded in the state capital in 1947. The Hornets nickname has been used ever since the school's foundation, and their mascot is called Herky. The Hornets have been members of the Big Sky Conference since 1996. In 2023, the school's men's rugby team won their first Division I-AA national title.

Answer: Aztecs

San Diego State University was established in 1897, and is part of the California State University system. The Aztecs nickname was chosen by students in 1925, and is unique in US college sports. SDSU have had a number of conference affiliations over the years, and joined the Mountain West Conference in 1999, before moving to the Pac-12 Conference in 2026.

The school's first national title at NCAA Division I level came in men's volleyball in 1973.

Answer: Bruins

The University of California, Los Angeles, normally referred to as UCLA, was established in 1919. The school had previously been called Cubs and Grizzlies, but adopted the Bruins moniker 1926 to distinguish the school from the Golden Bears of Cal, Berkeley and the Grizzlies of Montana. UCLA was a member of the Pac-12 Conference for many years until departing for the Big ten Conference in 2024.

The Bruins have won over 100 national titles, being especially strong in men's tennis, men's volleyball and men's and women's water polo.

Their most famous squads were the men's basketball teams of the 1960s and 70s, which won 11 national crowns between 1964 and 1975.

Answer: Spartans

San Jose State University was founded in 1857 under its original name of Minn's Evening Normal School. The school's Spartans moniker was chosen by students in 1925 as a tribute to ancient Greek warriors. SJSU has had a number of conference affiliations down the years, and joined the Mountain West Conference in 2013.

The Spartans' women's golf squad won three national crowns between 1987 and 1992.

Answer: Bulldogs

California State University, Fresno, normally referred to as Fresno State, was founded in 1911. Bulldogs is a common nickname in US college sports, and Fresno State were first referred to by this name in a local newspaper in 1921. The Bulldogs have had a number of conference affiliations throughout the years, and joined the Mountain West Conference in 2012, before moving to the Pac-12 Conference in 2026.

The school has won national crowns in softball, in 1998, and baseball, in 2008.

Answer: Cardinal

Stanford University (its official name, which is rarely used, is Leland Stanford Junior University) was founded in 1891 in Stanford, near Palo Alto. The Cardinal nickname (it refers to the color, not a bird or clergyman) was first used in 1892. This moniker was replaced by "Indians" in 1930, but, following objections from students, the Cardinal name was brought back in 1972. Stanford were members of the Pac-12 Conference for decades before moving to the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2024.

The Cardinal have won over 130 national titles, with particular success in swimming, tennis and water polo.

Answer: Waves

Pepperdine University was established in 1937 in Los Angeles, and is named after its founder, George Pepperdine. The Waves nickname was chosen by the school's first President, Batsell Baxter, who felt there were too many animal nicknames in college sports. Pepperdine are members of the West Coast Conference for most sports - they haven't fielded a gridiron team since 1961.

The school's men's golf squad won its first national title in 1997.