Michigan College Nicknames Trivia Quiz

Answer: Wolverines

The University of Michigan was established in Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, in 1817. The Wolverines moniker is shared by one of the nicknames of the state itself. Michigan has been a member of the Big Ten Conference since its foundation as the Western Conference in 1896.

The school has won national titles in numerous sports, with American football, swimming, gymnastics and ice hockey being particularly successful. The Wolverines gridiron team play at the biggest stadium in the USA, Michigan Stadium.

Answer: Eagles

Eastern Michigan University (EMU) was founded in Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, in 1849. The school was nicknamed the Hurons until 1991, when the more socially acceptable, and alliterative, Eagles moniker was adopted. EMU has been a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) since 1971.

The school was previously an NAIA and NCAA Division II school, and won numerous national crowns at those levels, with swimming, track & field and cross country being particular strengths.

Answer: Wildcats

Northern Michigan University (NMU) was established in 1899 in Marquette, the biggest city in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Wildcats is a common nickname in US college sports, and NMU has been using it since the 1930s. The school is a member of the NCAA Division II Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) for most sports, with their ice hockey squad competing in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

In 1991, the hockey team won the Frozen Four to become national champions.

Answer: Scots

Alma College was founded in 1886 in Alma, Gratiot County. The school was founded by the Presbyterian Church whose roots lie in Scotland, which is why the school is nicknamed the Scots. Alma is a member of the NCAA Division III Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). In 1992, the women's basketball team won the Division III national title.

Answer: Comets

The University of Olivet was established in Olivet, Eaton County, in 1844. The Comets nickname symbolizes energy and speed, and the school's mascots are called Haley and Clyde. Olivet is a member of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA).

Answer: Broncos

Western Michigan University (WMU) was founded in 1903 in Kalamazoo. THe school was known as the Hilltoppers until 1939, when a football coach suggested Broncos as an alternative to avoid confusion with other schools who also used the Hilltoppers moniker. WMU are members of the Mid-American Conference for most sports, with the ice hockey squad competing in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

The school's hockey team won the Frozen Four for the first time in 2025.

Answer: Spartans

Michigan State University (MSU) was established in 1855 in East Lansing, Ingham County. The Spartans nickname was suggested by a local sportswriter who frequented a local Greek restaurant whose owners had emigrated from Sparta. MSU have been members of the Big Ten Conference since 1950. The school has won numerous national crowns, with particular success in cross country and ice hockey.

Answer: Huskies

Michigan Technological University, usually referred to as Michigan Tech or MTU, was established in 1885 in Houghton on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Huskies is a common nickname of colleges in the northern USA, and the school's mascot is called Blizzard T. Husky. MTU is a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for most sports, with their ice hockey squad competing in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

The hockey team won the Frozen Four in 1962, 1965 and 1975.

Answer: Titans

The University of Detroit Mercy has existed since 1990 after the merger of the University of Detroit and Mercy College. The University of Detroit was known originally as Tigers but changed to Titans in 1924 to avoid confusion with the city's Major League Baseball team. The school is a member of the Horizon League for most sports but doesn't field a gridiron team.

Answer: Chippewas

Central Michigan University (CMU) was established in 1892 in Mount Pleasant, Isabella County. Originally known as the Bearcats, the school adopted Chippewas in 1942 after the local Native American tribe and a river which flows through the city. Whilst many colleges have dropped Native American nicknames, the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Nation gave CMU their blessing to keep their nickname. CMU are members of the Mid-American Conference. Previously a Division II school, the Chippewas' gridiron squad won the 1974 national crown at that level.