Moe the kangaroo, the VMI mascot.
The idea of having a live Kangaroo as the VMI athletics mascot originated in the late 1940's and the first "Moe" debuted in the football season of 1948. The animal was owned and cared for by Institute employee Mike Brown, who also ran a small zoo near Lexington. After a series of Moes filled the role, the live animal was ultimately replaced by a costumed mascot in 1972.
Things I never knew. This just sounds like a few cadets got drunk one night and stole a kangaroo from a circus and brought it to the football game. One of our more conspicuous members comes from a land darn close to Australia as well. Coincidence?