Kansas College Nicknames Trivia Quiz

Answer: Tigers

Fort Hays State University was founded in 1902 in the city of Hays, Ellis County. Their Tigers nickname is one of the most common in US college sports. Fort Hays State have been members of the NCAA Division II Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) since 2006.

The school was formerly an NAIA member where it has won national titles in both men's and women's basketball. Their men's hoops team would go on to lift the NCAA Division II National Championship in 1996.

Answer: Gorillas

Pittsburg State University was established in 1903 in Pittsburg, Crawford County. The school is the only one in the USA with a Gorillas nickname, having adopted it in 1920. They are members of the NCAA Division II Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).

The school's gridiron squad were National Champions at NAIA level in 1957 and 1961 and at NCAA Division II level in both 1991 and 2011.

Answer: Jayhawks

The University of Kansas (KU) was established in Lawrence, Douglas County, in 1864. The term Jayhawk dates back to the Civil War and refers to Jayhawker militias in the state. Kansas is a member of the Big 12 Conference, and is best known for its men's basketball program - they won the National Championship in 1952, 1988, 2008 and 2022.

Answer: Braves

Ottawa University was founded in 1865 in Ottawa, Franklin County. The school has been nicknamed Braves since 1922, although their mascot is an otter. Ottawa is a member of the NAIA Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) and has been fielding gridiron teams since 1891.

Answer: Hornets

Emporia State University was established in 1863 in the city of Emporia, Lyon County. Originally nicknamed Yaps, a school basketball coach suggested Yellow Jackets as a new name, this in turn evolved into Hornets. Emporia State is a member of the NCAA Division II Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA).

Answer: Ichabods

Washburn University was founded in 1865 in the state capital of Kansas, Topeka. Their unusual nickname alludes to the college's founder, Ichabod Washburn. The school is a member of the NCAA Division II Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association.

Answer: Wildcats

Kansas State University was established in 1863 in Manhattan, Riley County. The school's Wildcats nickname is a common one across the USA. Kansas State is a member of the Big !2 Conference. The Wildcats had failed to win any National Championships by the conclusion of the 2024 NCAA season but have won numerous conference championships, particularly in men's and women's basketball and cross country.

Answer: Swedes

Bethany College was founded in Lindsborg, McPherson County, in 1881. It takes its name from the Bethany Lutheran Church. The Swedes nickname is a reference to its founders, who were Swedish immigrants. The school is a member of the NAIA Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC), and is traditionally very strong on the tennis court.

Answer: Shockers

Wichita State University was founded in the biggest city in Kansas in 1895. The school's unusual nickname derives from its early days when students earned money by shocking (harvesting) wheat. The Shockers are members of the American Athletic Conference (AAC).

In 1996, the school discontinued its gridrion program after nearly 100 years. In 1989, Wichita State won a National Championship in baseball.

Answer: Ravens

Benedictine College was established in 1971 by the amalgamation of St Benedict's College and Mount St. Scholastica College in the city of Atchison. Their Ravens nickname is associated with 6th century Itaian monk St Benedict. The school is a member of the NAIA Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC).

The Ravens have won NAIA national titles (as St Benedict's College) in men's basketball (in 1954 ans 1967) and women's lacrosse (2022).