Big Red is the mascot of the sports teams at Lamar University, a Cardinal with Red plumage. History In 1932 South Park Junior College held a contest to determine a new school name. A new school name was needed because the school began serving students from across the region. When the contest results yielded the name Lamar College, John Gray: athletic director, football coach, and eventually university president changed the school mascot from the Brahamas to the Cardinals. Shortly after this change Big Red was born. References Lamar Cardinals and Lady Cardinals Southland Conference mascots