Star Trek: Starfleet Academy – Exploring The Mascots From TOS & TNG

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Be warned, this article contains spoilers for Season 1, Episode 3 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, titled “Vitus Reflux.” The series and its associated War College are depicted using aliens originally featured in both Star Trek: The Original Series and Star Trek: The Next Generation. The episode, directed by Doug Aarniokoski and written by Alex Taub & Kiley Rossetter, focuses on the competitive relationship between Starfleet Academy and the War College, both of which are located on the USS Athena.

For hundreds of years, Starfleet Academy trained officers who explored the galaxy and conducted scientific research. However, after a catastrophic event called The Burn fractured the United Federation of Planets, the Academy was closed. In its place, the Federation established the War College, focused on training officers for combat and protecting the Federation rather than peaceful exploration.

Starfleet Academy’s reopening didn’t close the War College; both schools are now operating together, and their students are naturally competitive. Because both academies have sports teams, they’ve chosen mascots based on alien species that fans of Star Trek will likely know.

Starfleet Academy’s Mugato Mascot Is From Star Trek: The Original Series

The Starfleet War College’s mascot is the Mugato, a dangerous, white, ape-like creature with horns. It first appeared in the original Star Trek series, season 2, episode 6, titled “A Private Little War.” The Mugato is native to the planet Neural and famously attacked Captain James T. Kirk (William Shatner), almost killing him with its poisonous bite.

After 53 years, the Mugato reappeared in Star Trek: Lower Decks season 2, episode 4, “Mugato, Gumato.” The USS Cerritos crew discovered Ferengi illegally hunting Mugatos for their horns, which they were selling for profit. Starfleet then helped protect the Mugatos by convincing the Ferengi to establish a Mugato nature preserve, which proved to be a more lucrative venture.

The Mugatos are known for being aggressive, which makes them a fitting mascot for the War College in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. In episode 3 of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Caleb Mir (played by Sandro Rosta) cleverly disguised himself in a Mugato costume to sneak into the War College dorms and help Starfleet Academy win a prank war.

Starfleet Academy’s Lapling Mascot Is From Star Trek: The Next Generation

The Starfleet Academy mascot, a creature called a Lapling, is a rather obscure reference for Star Trek fans. Laplings only appeared once, in season 3, episode 22 of Star Trek: The Next Generation, titled “The Most Toys.” They were part of a collection of exotic animals owned by Kivas Fajo (played by Saul Rubinek), who tried to capture Lt. Commander Data (Brent Spiner) and add him to it.

The Lapling is a cute creature that looks like a mix between a frog and a bird, making it an unusual pick for Starfleet Academy’s mascot. It seems appropriate that Commander Lura Thok (Gina Yashere) selected Ocam Sadal (Romeo Carere) to wear the Lapling costume, since the young Betazoid is known as one of the most endearingly clumsy cadets at the Academy.

In the third episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, the Lapling and Mugato served as the opposing teams in a competitive game called Calica, played between students at Starfleet Academy and the War College. These creatures are also featured prominently as mascots – cadets dress up as them to boost school spirit at athletic events, and their images appear on the official banners of both institutions.

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2026-01-23 15:58