The term "Hilltopper" can refer to a few different things related to Western Kentucky University (WKU) in Bowling Green, Kentucky):
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WKU Mens Basketball Team: The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers mens basketball team is the mens basketball team that represents WKU. The teams nickname is the Hilltoppers, and they currently compete in Conference USA.
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WKU Mascot: Big Red is the mascot of WKUs sports teams, including the Hilltoppers and Lady Toppers. It is a red, furry being created by Ralph Carey in 1979. Big Red is meant to symbolize the spirit of WKU students and alumni as well as the sports teams nickname, the "Hilltoppers," a name chosen because the schools campus sits atop a hill 232 feet above the Barren River flowing through WKUs home city of Bowling Green).
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WKU Students: Western Kentucky students became known as the Hilltoppers because the school relocated to the top of a hill in Bowling Green.
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Other: "Hilltopper" can also refer to a 1940s big band orchestra led by Tiny Hill.
