Yeah, the zipper was invented in Akron.  So it's definitely an old-school nickname.  But I like it, it's unique & reflects the community.
 
	 
 
	Zippy the kangaroo came about via a student mascot contest, what, 50-some years ago?  I don't have time to google it this a.m.  Zippy won sort of as a joke - ala Yale's fight song "Boola Boola."  He's a funny mascot who is wimpy, utterly non-threatening & usually runs away from the other teams' mascots.  He's a comical mascot, not to be taken seriously.  Again, love it.  Though Zippy has a pouch, Zippy was always considered a male until recently, when someone pointed out only female kangaroos have pouches.  Lol.  Now sometimes Zippy's called a "she."  Whatever.  But it kinda spoils the non-threatening wimpy-ness of Zippy if he's morphed into a female.  It throws a politically incorrect curveball at his harmless, wimpy schtick.  Another mascot shouldn't want to beat up on a girl. Lol.  It ruins the inside joke.