What gives a team its identity? Is it the coach, the players, or the fans? Sure, they play a part, but really, it is the mascot. Whether a live mascot or a student in a costume, the mascot's job is to inspire fans to cheer their team to victory.

Eric Olen took over as UC San Diego’s head basketball coach in 2013. A few years later the Tritons began their transition from Division II to Division I. At the time UCSD Athletics Director Earl Edwards said he believed he had the right coaches in place to make his teams compete quickly.