Camels? Behind the Spit

We have all heard it– “your mascot is a camel? Well, that is ummm unique.” If you’re like me then you might say something like “not just a camel, but the fighting camels. There is a difference.” You may have also wondered why a camel? You may already know. My curiosity led me to check out the story behind the camel. So, here it is… (according to Campbell’s website)

The history of the camel is kind of fuzzy. Apparently, we used to be the Hornets in the 20’s and 30’s, but that all changed in between 1933-1934. No one really knows why it was changed, but it was.

One theory is that camels came from an encounter between Z.T. Kivett and Dr. James Archibald Campbell. After one of the buildings burned down, Dr. Campbell was stating his discouragement to Mr. Kivett. Kivett, in response said, “Your name’s Campbell; then get a hump on you! We’ve got work to do.” Well, Dr. Campbell heard, “You’re a camel, get a hump on you.” Therefore, getting the name camel.

It is kind of a humorous story, but there it is. We are unique! There is only one other camel mascot in the USA, and we are the only one in Division 1. Check out these camel random facts!

Camels have been known to eat vegetation, meat, or bone
Camels’ normal diet consists of hay, grass, and grains such as wheat and oats
Camels have 3 sections to their stomachs. They swallow their food whole and regurgitate it back to be chewed as cud.
Camels don’t really spit saliva but spit the cud when agitated
Camels are related to llamas and alpacas
Camels are pregnant for 13 months
Camels are known as “ships of the desert”
Camels have 34 teeth
Camels’ humps are mostly fat
Camels have a 3rd eyelid that acts as a windshield wiper to clean the eye of sand
The Campbell camel is a Dromedary camel because it only has one hump
Camels’ hair can be made into clothing and makes really warm coats