UWG News

Mascot selection down to three finalists

December 21, 2005

CARROLLTON, GA - The Athletics Marketing Identity Task Force at the University of West Georgia has submitted three mascot finalists to the President’s Advisory Council (PAC) for further consideration. Those finalists are: Patriots, RedHawks and Wolves.

PAC will make a recommendation to Dr. Beheruz N. Sethna, UWG president, and the university’s new nickname for its athletics teams will be announced in January.

According to Dr. Tara Singer, vice president for University Advancement and chair of the Task Force, the Task Force’s goal has been to determine a name that best provides for a complete athletics identity.

The total package for that identity includes the potential for appropriate sideline mascots, graphics and word marks, chants or cheers, as well as other applications on campus and linkages with other aspects of campus life.

“For example, some of the related names would be used for ID cards, campus eating and hangout places, campus events, shuttle buses, etc.,” Singer noted. “It is hoped that the selected name will well serve all of these applications.”

The Task Force considered the results of the two polls that solicited feedback from students, alumni, faculty, staff, athletic boosters and fans, and friends of the university. Also used in the decision was a process that applied approximately 20 criteria to each mascot proposal to determine compatibility to the criteria. Criteria included such factors as compatibility with school colors, uniqueness, potential for merchandising, and appropriateness for all athletic teams.

Once the final decision has been made, Rickabaugh Graphics will work extensively on the graphic designs for that identity. Several adaptations will be created of the final look such as a full-body design, head-only design and child-friendly design.

Interested individuals may continue to check the mascot website for updates and information at http://mascot.westga.edu.

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