The nickname "The Battling Bishops" dates to 1925. This is also the name of the university's mascot, "The Battling Bishop". Due to its ironic name, the mascot has been listed as one of the weirdest college mascots. Due to its red robe, "The Battling Bishop" looks actually like a Cardinal. Before 1925, Ohio Wesleyan's teams were referred to as "The Red and Black" and "The Methodists". Many schools, including several other Methodist ones, also claimed crimson and black as their colors, so the university decided to change the name.