Some mascots are lions. Others are eagles. A few go for bulldogs or bears. But Richland? We’ve got the Thunderduck. And according to a national deep dive by Banner Society, that makes us one of the most unique colleges in the country.
In an article titled “1,875 college nicknames, mapped and charted,” writer Jason Kirk compiled mascots from nearly every college in the U.S., then ranked them by frequency and originality. Richland’s own Thunderduck landed in the Top 50 for uniqueness, which is a distinction that sets us apart in a world dominated by wildcats, tigers, and hawks.
But while the name Thunderduck might be rare, not every Richland student is even aware of who, or what, it is.
“I’ve never actually seen the Thunderduck in real life,” said Maya James, a business student. “Like, does it wear a costume or is it an actual duck?”
For the record, the Thunderduck does exist. Named R. Möbius Thunderduck (like the Möbius strip), and known as Moby Duck, our mascot is meant to represent infinite potential and boundless energy. It’s as poetic as it is confusing.
“It sounds like a Marvel villain,” said Leonard Perez, a communications major. “I kinda love that it’s weird. But yeah, I’ve been here for two years and never seen anyone dressed up as it. If we have a suit, someone needs to bring it out.”
Banner Society’s data shows that while nearly 16% of schools use big cat mascots and another 15% pick birds of prey, very few choose abstract or made-up creatures. That makes the Thunderduck not just a local legend but a national oddity in the best way.
“I think it’s cool that we’re not just another school with a tiger or something,” said Jasmine Leen, a biology student. “Even if I’ve never seen it, Thunderduck just sounds so cool and mysterious.”
So, is it time for a Mobius comeback? Maybe a campus appearance? A mascot reveal party?
Until then, the Thunderduck remains part-myth, part-mascot and all ours.
