Name-a-Day Calendar, May 19: Norfolk State Spartans
Page 194 of 365
Chosen in: 1952
Chosen by: Unclear
What is now Norfolk State University was first established in 1935 as a two-year branch of Virginia Union University. This school began playing football in 1938, and as far as I can tell, this team didn’t have an official nickname.
In 1942, the school split from Virginia Union and became Norfolk Polytechnic College. Then, in 1944, it was picked up by what is now Virginia State University, keeping the Norfolk Polytechnic College name after the switch.
In 1952, Norfolk Polytechnic College became a four-year school, with the City of Norfolk providing a permanent campus for the new and improved institution not long after. At this time, the school adopted the “Spartans” nickname for their athletic programs, though I am unable to confirm why this specific nickname was picked or whether it was done by school administration or the student body. The men’s basketball team began play the next year and has always been known as the Spartans.
Norfolk State has been represented by a costumed Spartan mascot for decades.
Previous page: NJIT Highlanders
Next page: North Alabama Lions
Find every page at the Name-a-Day Calendar hub!