Silly question.

[Western_101]

So I'm watching the tournament and I have the Oregon/Oklahoma State game on. I noticed that Oregon's uniforms have "Fighting Ducks" on the front.

Which made me wonder is Western the "Leathernecks" or the "Fighting Leathernecks?"

[wiu712]

Is Western the "Leathernecks" or the "Fighting Leathernecks?"

Here is the answer from the Western Website "Our Traditions":

What’s so special about Western Illinois athletics team nicknames? Men’s and women's intercollegiate athletics teams are The Fighting Leathernecks; and Western Illinois is the only public school in the U.S. that has permission through the Department of the Navy to use the United States Marine Corps official seal, mascot (the bulldog), and nickname, The Fighting Leathernecks.

[Western_101]

Thanks 712

I didn't know if we used to be the Fighting Leathernecks and no longer were or what.

Seems like all references to Western athletics and uniforms simply refer the Western sports teams as Leathernecks.

Even the football field end zones read LEATHERNECKS

[wiu712]

The signage at Hanson Field and inside Western Hall both say "Home of The Fighting Leathernecks".

The dugouts at the baseball field say "The Fighting Leathernecks".

http://image1.stadiumjourney.com/images ... seball.jpg