Archived News |
June 27, 2006
°®½´ÊÓÆµunveils new mascot
Joined by over 1,000 excited °®½´ÊÓÆµfamily members, students, faculty, staff, alumni and community supporters, the University of Louisiana at Monroe proudly welcomed the Warhawk as its new mascot Monday, June 26 at Fant-Ewing Coliseum.
In his welcoming remarks, President James Cofer thanked the °®½´ÊÓÆµfamily, many of whom participated in an extensive public nomination process and offered their opinions on the new logo designs.
"This is a historic day. Our students are able to have their own new traditions, along with the university's treasured heritage," he said.
Shortly before °®½´ÊÓÆµunveiled the new mascot logos, including a large, eye-catching Warhawk at center court of Fant-Ewing's newly-completed floor, Rod Washington, representing Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo, issued a proclamation making June 26 "°®½´ÊÓÆµWarhawks Day."
The °®½´ÊÓÆµPep Band's spirited music, the cheering crowd, the presence of a real red-shouldered hawk and the anticipation of the new logo designs made Monday's unveiling even more memorable. One °®½´ÊÓÆµstudent said, "It was so unique and special to be there, experiencing history first-hand ... Today I not only made change, I accepted it."
Among the honored guests were Rosemary Chennault Simrall, daughter of Northeast Louisiana General Claire Chennault; Dick Daggett, a WWII pilot who flew the P-40 Warhawk; and George Luffey, chair of the °®½´ÊÓÆµMascot Committee.
Though Luffey bought the first shirt displaying the new logo, a sizeable crowd waited in line after the ceremony to purchase more of the new merchandise.
Kelsey Bagwell, manager of the °®½´ÊÓÆµBookstore, said that within about an hour after the event, the bookstore sold over $3,000 in Warhawks shirts, baseball caps, coolers and blankets at a temporary stand in Fant-Ewing.
In the coming weeks, °®½´ÊÓÆµwill work with local merchants to meet demand and get more merchandise into the market. The athletics department will also prepare for a new year by upgrading facilities to incorporate the Warhawks.
The complete logo display may be viewed online at the °®½´ÊÓÆµwebsite: .
For merchandise, please visit the ULM Bookstore or go online at .
Warhawks-related stories from The (Monroe, LA) News-Star:
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