Originally known as the "Nevonians", F&M's mascot is directly tied to the 1935 football squad's meeting with heavily favored Fordham University in the season opener. Led by brash coach Al Holman, the Diplomats started the year in the land of Giants by travelling to New York City to face the Rams in the Polo Grounds, home of the New York Giants professional baseball team.

How big was the game? Consider that Fordham's offensive and defensive lines, under head coach "Sleepy" Jim Crowley, one of Notre Dame's legendary "Four Horseman", were known as the "The Seven Blocks of Granite". On the line looking across at the Diplomats was a pair of future National Football League Hall-of-Fame players in Alex Wojciechowicz and a sophomore by the name of Vince Lombardi.

According to the newspapers of the time, F&M was a bump in the road for Fordham which was acknowledged as one of the best college football teams in the nation and a sure bet to advance to the only post-season game around in 1935 - the Rose Bowl.

To get to the game, the 33-member F&M team took the railroad to New York, including a young center by the name of Solomon Woodrow "Woody" Sponaugle.

Sponaugle, who coached F&M's football team from 1948 to 1962 and led the program to a record of 59-58-6, got the Diplomats on the board first blocking and recovering a punt as the team's left the field at halftime with the upstart Nevonians leading 7-0.

What happened next changed at least the image of the football program and the name of F&M athletics. "F&M's downfall could be traced indirectly to their penchant for oratory, conference, or just plain gas in the clubhouse, a failing customary in the diplomatic services of both hemispheres. An uncommon penalty was revoked against F&M for remaining too long in its dressing room between halves, and it never recovered from the blow," noted New York sportswriter Arthur Dailey.

Fordham came back to win the game 14-7, but Franklin & Marshall College had a new moniker as Dailey's comment regarding the diplomatic circle stuck and became the College's new mascot.

What is Franklin & Marshall's Fight Song?

F&M and Yale University share the same fight song, "On Down the Field"

What is Franklin & Marshall's Alma Mater?

We hail thee, Alma Mater,
Our gallant White and Blue
With one accord,
In deed and word,
As sons and daughters true;
We honor thy traditions
And those who've gone before
In weal and woe, to thee shall flow
Our hearts forever more.
We love each hall and building
Thy campus stretching long,
Thy tower and bell,
With solemn knell
That call to work and song;
We'll give the world our service,
But ever like a gem,
Our hearts shall hold a love untold
For dear old F and M.