North Carolina Central University

ATHLETICS

HISTORY OF THE NCCU "EAGLE" MASCOT

North Carolina Central University was given its nickname by the school's founder, Dr. James E. Shepard, who was also the president of the school from its beginning in 1910 until 1947.  As the story goes, at the beginning of each school year, Dr. Shepard would rally the student body together for a motivational speech, which always began with an explanation as to why the institution's mascot was an Eagle. "The Eagle is no common, ordinary barnyard fowl," Dr. Shepard explained. "And while a Sparrow clings to its flock, an Eagle soars alone." Eagle Logos

Last Revised:  Jan. 2006