Photo Gallery: The Bantam’s Many Forms

Since a long-ago alumnus first proclaimed Trinity’s mascot, the Bantam has appeared in many forms. Awards, pins, posters, toys, T-shirts, and art have depicted the barnyard bird. Over the years, terms such as “coop” and “nest” became part of College vernacular.

By far the most popular form of Banty is the costumed mascot, who will be on site for Bicentennial Fall Weekend, October 13-15. All are invited to a celebration that combines the traditions of Homecoming and Family Weekend.

But first, because this is Trinity’s Bicentennial year, we must properly nest this story in history.

The story behind Trinity College’s beloved Bantam, it has been written, goes something like this: The Honorable Joseph Buffington, Trinity Class of 1875, who served as a trustee of the College and as a federal judge, also was known as a skilled public speaker. It was in Pittsburgh in spring 1899, at a meeting of the Princeton Alumni Association of Western Pennsylvania, that Buffington introduced the Trinity mascot of the future.

Noting the competitiveness and spirit—in athletics and more—of Trinity students and likening the college landscape to that of a barnyard, Buffington referred to a bantam, an independent and spirited animal.

“The Trinity [B]antam ever feels that whatever company is fit for him to be at, he is entirely fit to be there,” he said. Sports media picked up on it and began referencing the Bantam as the College’s mascot. And the rest, as they say, is history.

To learn more about Trinity history, visit the 200 Years timeline on the College’s Bicentennial website.

–Excerpted from The Trinity Reporter, Spring 2023.