Arkansas State University has decided to change the mascot from the Indians to a mascot that is unknown at this time. According to Jim Pickens, Committee Chairman of the Mascot Review Committee, the landmark decision was reached because Committee members did not want to “incur ramifications, implications, and sanctions from the NCAA” because of the new rule that bars the use of Native American themes in post season play.
Once this decision was made, ASU opened itself up for suggestions on the new mascot with a deadline of midnight on October 31. According to Chancellor R. Potts, the Committee received over 1,400 suggestions.
Some of these suggestions include keeping “Red” as the permanent mascot. Also suggested the Pine Cones, the Fightin’ Farmers, the Stallions, the Red Wolves, and the Catfish. Some of these names will not work because, ASU plans to keep the current color scheme of red, black and white.
Beginning yesterday, November 1, 2007, nine constituent groups will review the suggestions and each group will choose 8 to 12 of their favorites. Once these groups have decided, they will submit the list to the Mascot Selection Steering Committee.
According to Pickins, changing the mascot will cost the university between $250,000 and $500,000. He says the earliest the new mascot could be used would be the 2008 season. Until now, ASU has used “Red” as the temporary mascot.
The first of the committees met last evening to decide which of the suggestions to send to the Mascot Selection Steering Committee (MSSC). Adam Saulsbury, a committee member, says there were some crazy suggestions on the list. Two of them were the Fighting Armadillos and the Mojos. The committee finally decided to send 6 suggestions to the MSSC. These were the Red Wolves, which was the favorite, Thunderbirds, Blackhawks, Red Devils, Hellbenders and Diamondbacks.
Although the school has decided to change the mascot, not everyone is happy with the decision. Randi Romo, a co-founder of Center for Artistic Revolution said that “this didn’t happen because it was the right thing, it happened because it was the economic thing.” She stated that she does not feel that the “school’s heart is in the right place” but she states that she is “happy overall with the decision.” She further stated that she “keeps hearing the anguish and the sadness that they have to change because they have to by the NCAA.”
Regardless of the reason for the change, students at the school seem to be happy that the public had the chance to help decide what new mascot the school will use.
