The adoption of the unique Purple Aces moniker dates back to the 1920s, stemming from a legendary basketball game played by the institution then known as Evansville College. According to historic athletic lore, the team traveled to a crucial game using an ace of spades playing card as a makeshift team insignia or ticket, or famously pulled off an incredible upset where local sportswriters dubbed them an unbeatable hand of aces. Coupled with the school's official royal purple color, the nickname stuck permanently.