Although the U.S.'s first major gold discovery was in the area near the university, Norm the Niner was actually named after North Carolina's Highway 49, which runs outside the school.
The fact that the University's Main Campus front entrance is located on North Carolina Highway 49 is pure coincidence. 
Due to this "49er spirit" that Cone felt embodied the University, referring to the settlers that endured much hardships in traveling across the United States to seek fortune in the California Gold Rush, students of the fledgling UNC Charlotte chose "49ers" as the school's mascot. 
