Change UCSB mascot? What started as joke gains traction

It started as a joke.

UCSB student Mario Infante posted a call on social media to change the school mascot from the current “Ole,” to mapache, the Spanish word for raccoon.

Infante wasn’t serious about the change, but other students have shown support for the idea and the concept is now gaining more traction.

USCB’s athletics department has declined to comment on the discussion.

Reporter Senerey de los Santos is on campus and will have a full report at 5:00 and 6:00 Thursday night.