During its 36-year run as Fenn College, the school's athletic teams were known as the Foxes. No one has ever uncovered a reason for the nickname other than alliteration. Somehow the moniker "Foxes" went nicely with Fenn.

However, the Cleveland State Foxes didn't have quite the same ring, so when they city's new state university was born in 1965, it was decided to hold a vote of the student body to select a new nickname.

A panel of judges pared down a long list of selections to three finalists - Lakers (Eriemen was a near miss), Foresters and Vikings.

Vikings was an overwhelming winner, some hinted darkly because a large contingent of students, who had spent their pre-college days at Cleveland St. Joseph High, stuffed the ballot boxes. St. Joseph teams were, of course, known as the Vikings.

No matter, the nickname has remained.