Per the merger of New Orleans University and Straight College, Dillard University opened in 1935. The university immediately began to establish its various customs, athletics included. Its students help to establish its most sacred traditions, this includes the university mascot. During the first study body meeting, the student council tasked the football team with choosing a mascot, thus the Blue Devils were yielded. How and why the football team chose the Blue Devils is subject to great speculation. However, much like the entirety of Dillard University, great intent and thought went into this choice.