(Big shout out to the official University of Ottawa Gee-Gees page for providing most of the background information!)With the upcoming school year fast approaching, we here at Her Campus UOttawa believe it is time once and for all to answer an age-old question. So in the name of all things school spirit we now present to you, “What the F is a Gee-Gee?”Often when new students arrive on campus there is some confusion surrounding our majestic logo. While other schools have mascots that are easy to comprehend, since they merely named themselves after an animal, we here at the University of Ottawa pride ourselves in the deeper meaning of our school representation.
In the early years of the University of Ottawa, our sports teams were referred to by our school colours, garnet and grey. This was common practice and many schools were simply known by their colours. However as time went on garnet and grey began to be referred to as “GG.”As the University of Ottawa continued to be referred to as the “GG”, the short-form was combined with the term “Gee-Gee”, which referred to the lead horse in a race. This was eventually adopted as the official logo of our school and led to the familiar emblems and mascot we see around campus.
Today, the Gee-Gee is a representation of all things speed, determination and spirit. It is enjoyed through colourful slogans and loud chants and is the heart and soul of our university. So the next time you hear any school questioning the meaning of our logo, go ahead and tell them what you know! If any rival schools continue to “squawk” go ahead and let them. After all, they are just birds.
Article References
http://www.geegees.ca/node/197
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa_Gee-Gees
Photo References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa_Gee-Gees
http://spincreative.ca/portfolio/gee-gees-get-in-the-mane/
http://www.capitaltickets.ca/events/detail/uottawa-gee-gees-sports-events