The rise of college symbols and mascots related to the American landscape directly correlates with the rapid changes stemming from
industrialization and urbanization occurring in American culture between the late-nineteenth century and first decades of the twentieth century.
The loss of national identity attributed to the closing of the western frontier had a devastating effect on young white males in particular. The
ensuing cultural crisis brought about by the wanton extirpation of wildlife and destruction of the natural environment led directly to the
preservationist movement of the turn-of-the century. In the face of unparalleled immigration, fitness and the back-to-nature movement were
believed to be instrumental in helping white American men avoid committing "race suicide." Nurtured by the teachings and philosophies of
conservationists and preservationists, young white college men formed the first football teams and adopted symbols of the American landscape as
a means of team identity. Because iconography makes for a powerful tool of identity and solidarity, students and college officials were likewise
intrigued. Eager to quell unruly student behavior, college administrators—who had a more than contentious relationship with the student body
throughout the late-nineteenth century—gladly assented. The profits soon realized from college sports and the pageantry surrounding it proved
irresistible to colleges across the land. Consequently, by the early decades of the late-nineteenth century, numerous American college athletic
teams began using mascots related to the American landscape and school colors to foment group solidarity. / A Dissertation submitted to the Department of History in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
of Doctor of Philosophy. / Fall Semester 2018. / November 2, 2018. / 20th century American history, education, iconography, sports / Includes bibliographical references. / Andrew Frank, Professor Directing Dissertation; Robert Crew, University Representative; Jonathan Grant,
Committee Member; Jennifer Koslow, Committee Member; Edward Gray, Committee Member.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_661130 |
| Contributors | DeSantis, Gary Gennar (author), Frank, Andrew, 1970- (professor directing dissertation), Crew, Robert E. (university representative), Grant, Jonathan A., 1963- (committee member), Koslow, Jennifer Lisa, 1970- (committee member), Gray, Edward G., 1964- (committee member), Florida State University (degree granting institution), College of Arts and Sciences (degree granting college), Department of History (degree granting departmentdgg) |
| Publisher | Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English, English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text, text, doctoral thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (221 pages), computer, application/pdf |
| Coverage | United States, United States |
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