Two nicknames represent Virginia Tech athletics, the "Gobblers" and the "Hokies". The "Gobbler" nickname was applied to Tech teams in 1909, when non-athletes kidded the athletes by the way they "gobbled" their food. In 1913, the "Turkey Gobbler" was introduced as team mascot. The nickname "Hokies", emerged in 1896, from the "Hokie Yell" created by Tech student O.M. Stull. "Hokie" has no special meaning, and was just a product of Stull's imagination. But when the Virginia Tech student's let loose their "Hokie" cheer, it really gets attention! The official university school colors - Chicago Maroon and Burnt Orange - also were introduced in 1896. A committee chose the colors because they made a "unique combination" not worn elsewhere at the time.