> > Likewise. Perhaps it's strictly an American thing. If so, my question for the American readers relates to what these school mascots *do*. Are we talking about giant costumes at your sports games, or a picture on the school logo, or what?
>
> Clarifying what Sosi said: Once a mascot is chosen, it appears on the school logo and is worn as a costume at sports games. (Also, the name of the school team generally has to do with its mascot.)

There's another interesting difference. School teams here don't have specific names. They'll just be the Whatever College Girl's/Boy's Basketball "A" team through however many letters of the alphabet it takes to run out of teams. Or First 11, Second 11, etc (cricket teams. First 15 if it's rugby. From the number of players, you see).