Nickname Established: Used unofficially in 1922, used in The Trinity* Chronicle student newspaper, but name didn't catch on right away. *Duke began as Trinity College Costumed Mascot: The Blue Devil Mascot: Blue Devil Costumed Mascot Debut: October 5, 1929 For a little photo history of the costume, go here. Live Mascot: Nothing official, but like Wake Forest, it's subject to your theology. Live Mascot Debut: n/a Team Colors: Duke Blue and White Duke Blue is Prussian Blue. University Location: Durham, North Carolina
Why does Duke have a Blue Devil for a mascot? Basically the football team needed a name. The newspaper held a name contest, but nothing was decided. A few student newspaper staff members liked Blue Devil so they decided to start using it in the paper. Obviously, it stuck. The details are here.
What is a Blue Devil? In the post WWI era, when the nickname Blue Devil was adopted, if people spoke of the Blue Devils they weren't talking about Duke athletic teams. They were referring to a uniquely trained group of French soldiers who wore blue capes and berets. Some of the French Blue Devils toured America during the war to raise money in support of the war effort. "...strong and active, most attractive...those Devils, the Blue Devils of France," are the lyrics Irving Berlin used to describe them.
