College hockey is always a great environment, and a big part of that is the shows the mascots put on and how they alone can get a crowd up and loud. This countdown continues with a storied program and one of college hockey's most historic mascots.
College hockey is full of traditions, rivalries, and passionate fanbases, but every program also has its own personality. In this five-part series, we'll count down the five best mascots in college hockey, looking at their appearance, history, personality, and how well they fit the programs they represent. At No. three, with one of the most recognizable mascots in college hockey: Baldwin the Eagle
There are few mascots that fit their school quite as naturally as Boston College's Baldwin the Eagle.
Baldwin has the look you'd expect from a college hockey mascot: big wings, a fierce expression, a large eagle head, and plenty of personality. Dressed in Boston College's maroon and gold, he looks like he could fly straight out of the stands and onto the ice. He's intimidating without being overly serious, giving BC fans a mascot that can bring energy and fun to the rink.
The eagle has been part of Boston College's identity since 1920, when the school adopted it after an alumnus suggested the bird represented "majesty, power, and freedom." The timing was fitting for a school nicknamed the Eagles, and the mascot has remained part of BC athletics ever since.
Baldwin himself has a fascinating history. Boston College once used live eagles, including Margo, who became the school's mascot in 1961. After Margo died in 1966, the school moved toward a costumed mascot. The modern Baldwin was introduced in 2000, with a new design featuring feathers, wings, and a redesigned head.
What makes Baldwin particularly fun is the mystery surrounding him. The mascot is brought to life by Boston College students, and the identities of those students remain secret until they graduate. Baldwin never speaks, instead communicating through gestures, expressions, and interactions with the crowd.
That personality fits a hockey program with plenty of history.
Boston College has won five NCAA men's hockey championships, including three titles between 2008 and 2012. The Eagles have also built one of college hockey's strongest traditions through Hockey East and the annual Beanpot rivalry with Boston University, Harvard, and Northeastern.
Baldwin brings all of that together. He's fierce, recognizable, and deeply connected to the school.
For a program called the Eagles, it would be hard to ask for a better mascot.
