When you hear ETSU, you automatically think of the Buccaneers, but what many people don’t know is the story of how our university got its current mascot.

In 1911, ETSU was founded as the state teacher’s college, with our teams being known as “The Teachers,” but in 1935 we became “The Buccaneers.”

Surprisingly enough, our first mascot was not pirate-related, but was instead a live goat named Captain Kidd who reigned as mascot from 1950 to 1957.

  • Bucky and Pepper the Parrot meet with kids c. 1991. (Contributed / ETSU)
  • Pepper the Parrot posses with the cheerleading squad outside the Mini-Dome. (Contributed / ETSU)
  • Captain Kidd. (Contributed / ETSU)
  • Captain Kidd featured in the student newspaper c. 1966.

After that, the first Bucky the pirate was introduced. This tradition stayed until a homecoming game in 1980, when a new mascot called Pepper the Parrot was introduced, and he became known as one of ETSU’s most revered mascots.

In 1991, Bucky was brought back, but this time with a formidable personality. The two would share the stage as Pepper made fans laugh with light-hearted comedy, while Bucky would have a “tough-guy” persona.

A few years later, Pepper was phased out and Bucky became ETSU’s sole mascot. While the mascot’s costume and weapons have changed over the years, the Bucky we all know and love has stayed the same.

“Bucky brands our school,” says Cyndi Ramsey, coordinator of ETSU Alumni Activities. “If you have Bucky on your shirt, people know what school you go to. It binds together different generations. Everyone remembers Bucky even if his looks have changed over the years, and at the end of the day, alumni can relate to that symbol and remember their time as a student. Everyone is a Buc.”

Many ask why an inland school would choose a pirate as its mascot. Legend has it that several years ago, geologists discovered an underground river near the university named Pirate Creek. It is believed that this underground channel once led all the way to the Atlantic Ocean. Local lore tells that buccaneer Jean Paul LeBucque discovered the underground river and used it as a place to hide out and store his gold and treasure. This tale, while not widely known, is the fun story behind why our university has the school spirit we have today.

Author