The Wisconsin Racoons?

In the 1890s, Wisconsin played its first seasons of football. The team desired to be called the badgers, which contrary to popular belief, was not due to the local badger population.

The name was to honor the lead miners of the region, which often had to dig out tunnels in the hillsides to stay warm during the harsh winters.

The team attempted to have a live badger as a mascot, but that badger proved to be unpredictable, fierce, and downright unmanageable. The feral mascot was eventually sent to the zoo, and replaced by a racoon.

Students and alumni alike condemned the replacement. While the history books may have focused on 2 world wars and the great depression, those same books may have forgetten the struggles of University of Wiscosin, which endured both an identity crisis and prohibition. 

Finally, in 1949, a student drew a character called Buckingham U. Badger, which eventually became "Bucky", the modern day mascot.