March Madness Raises Debate About Validity Of Texas A&M Corpus Christi's Mascot

Texas A&M Corpus Christi defeated Southeast Missouri State in the NCAA Tournament 'First Four' on Tuesday night. Now, as a No. 16 seed, the Islanders will have the distinct honor of trying to be the second No. 16 seed to topple a No. 1 seed— in this case, the Alabama Crimson Tide.

However, A&M Corpus Christi's NCAA Tournament appearance sparked a larger debate on Tuesday night about the validity of the school's mascot. They are the Islanders— but is their campus on an island?

Can they call really themselves the Islanders?

Texas A&M Corpus Christi Islanders

Let's break it down.

Corpus Christi, latin for 'Body of Christ,' is located in south Texas on the Gulf of Mexico. It is the eighth-most populous city in the state as of 2020 with just over 300,000 residents.

Corpus Christi (via Google Maps)

The A&M campus is located on the edge of the Corpus Christi bay, on 'Ward Island,' sheltered by Padre and Mustang islands.

TAMU Corpus Christi campus (via Google Maps)

Its address is 6300 Ocean Dr, Corpus Christi, TX, 78412.

TAMU Corpus Christi campus (via Google Maps)

But, again, despite Ward Island's name, it begs the question— IS IT AN ISLAND?!

The definition of an island varies by resource, but comes to a general consensus.

Based on aerial images of Texas A&M Corpus Christi's campus, it is not surrounded by water. Certainly not "entirely." It is attached to the main land.

OR IS IT?!

Texas A&M Corpus Christi

Here's another look that pretty clearly shows the land on which the campus sits is attached to the rest of Texas:

Ward Island

OR DOES IT?!

If you look closer at the far right corner, there may be a bridge that travels over water. Because that's what bridges do. The question is whether that qualifies the "island" as an "island."

Ward Island

Texas A&M Corpus Christi calls itself the Islanders. The only question is whether the name is valid.

Perhaps they are more like the Peninsula-ers?