What is a Quaker? Explaining Penn's Nickname and Mascot History

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The University of Pennsylvania's athletic teams are known as the Quakers, a nod to the Quaker faith that founded the state of Pennsylvania. The Quaker mascot has evolved over time, from wearing traditional colonial-era clothing to now often donning Penn's modern athletic uniforms. The Quakers are a Protestant Christian group known for their emphasis on equality, peace, simplicity, and truth.

Why it matters

Penn's Quaker mascot and nickname connect the university to the Quaker heritage of Philadelphia and the state of Pennsylvania, which was founded as a haven for religious tolerance. Understanding the history and significance of the Quaker identity is important for appreciating Penn's unique mascot and athletic traditions.

The details

Penn's Quaker mascot first appeared in 1949 when a student named Jack Melnick dressed as "William Quaker" in colonial attire to attend a football game. However, Penn's teams had been referred to as the Quakers in newspapers as early as the late 1800s, likely due to Philadelphia's reputation as the "Quaker City." Traditionally, the Quaker mascot wore 1700s-style clothing, but today the mascot is more often seen in Penn's modern athletic uniforms.

• The first sighting of the Penn Quaker mascot was in 1949.
• Penn's athletic teams had been referred to as the Quakers in newspapers as early as the late 1800s.