Blugold mascot competition underway
Students, faculty, alumni, community members asked to enter mascot designs
Sarah Moran
Issue date: 4/20/09 Section: Campus News
UW-Madison has its Badgers. The University of Minnesota has the Golden Gophers. And UW-Eau Claire has…?
Perhaps more infamous than the university's massive hill to upper campus, or its cold journey across the footbridge over the Chippewa River, is the question "What is a Blugold?"
Since the university was founded in 1916, it has been without a mascot and therefore, without a definite answer to the Blugold description. Throughout the years, ideas have been tossed around trying to capture the essence of the Blugold. A bulldog, bobcat and a bird of war or a mythical bird have been unofficially used, said John Bachmeier, director of Eau Claire's alumni relations. He added that old sports' yearbook photos have jerseys with a Blugold bird on them. The men's lacrosse team still wears warrior bird jerseys. But none of the ideas, says Bachmeier, have ever been adopted by the university.
A 2008 survey of the Eau Claire community showed that 69 percent of the approximate 7,000 participants wanted a mascot for the college according to a university press release. Thus the Blugold mascot design contest was born.
Until June 15 students, faculty, former Eau Claire alumni and members of the Eau Claire community are invited to try and create the university's mascot.
Bachmeier, who is a part of the alumni association which sponsors the contest and a chair of the committee judging the contest, stressed that everyone be involved in the process.
The judges for the mascot will be, Bachmeier said, comprised of alumni, faculty, students and the community for a diverse and more representative decision.
"The Eau Claire Blugold belongs not to just the students, but to everyone," he said.
Brian Bergman, a resident of Eau Claire, agrees that the identity of the Blugold needs to be resolved.
"I remember Michael Moore coming here a couple years ago and asking, 'What the hell is a Blugold?' That's always been a point of curiosity for me too," he said.
But Bergman thinks the new mascot will be more beneficial for the community than the campus.
"I think this is a good thing (for the community). It can be a point of reference, a way to set us apart," he said. "Not to mention that it could potentially be pretty marketable."
Perhaps more infamous than the university's massive hill to upper campus, or its cold journey across the footbridge over the Chippewa River, is the question "What is a Blugold?"
Since the university was founded in 1916, it has been without a mascot and therefore, without a definite answer to the Blugold description. Throughout the years, ideas have been tossed around trying to capture the essence of the Blugold. A bulldog, bobcat and a bird of war or a mythical bird have been unofficially used, said John Bachmeier, director of Eau Claire's alumni relations. He added that old sports' yearbook photos have jerseys with a Blugold bird on them. The men's lacrosse team still wears warrior bird jerseys. But none of the ideas, says Bachmeier, have ever been adopted by the university.
A 2008 survey of the Eau Claire community showed that 69 percent of the approximate 7,000 participants wanted a mascot for the college according to a university press release. Thus the Blugold mascot design contest was born.
Until June 15 students, faculty, former Eau Claire alumni and members of the Eau Claire community are invited to try and create the university's mascot.
Bachmeier, who is a part of the alumni association which sponsors the contest and a chair of the committee judging the contest, stressed that everyone be involved in the process.
The judges for the mascot will be, Bachmeier said, comprised of alumni, faculty, students and the community for a diverse and more representative decision.
"The Eau Claire Blugold belongs not to just the students, but to everyone," he said.
Brian Bergman, a resident of Eau Claire, agrees that the identity of the Blugold needs to be resolved.
"I remember Michael Moore coming here a couple years ago and asking, 'What the hell is a Blugold?' That's always been a point of curiosity for me too," he said.
But Bergman thinks the new mascot will be more beneficial for the community than the campus.
"I think this is a good thing (for the community). It can be a point of reference, a way to set us apart," he said. "Not to mention that it could potentially be pretty marketable."
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
Todd Laumer
posted 4/20/09 @ 8:04 AM CST
I cannot believe this is still being discussed and hasn't been settled. This article could have been cut and pasted from the school newspaper back in the 80s when I attended. (Continued…)
tjlaumer
Todd Laumer
posted 4/20/09 @ 8:16 AM CST
I am surprised this debate is still going on. This story could have come right from the student newspaper back in the 80s when I attended.
The only answer is to finally retire the Blugold. (Continued…)
Ray French
posted 4/22/09 @ 2:20 PM CST
I love the Blugold "mascot" and hope it never changes! I'd rather see us not have a visualization of a bird or anything and just stick with the E.
At this point it something unique about UWEC and something that unites us. (Continued…)
Tim Jochum
posted 2/23/10 @ 6:25 PM CST
I have a name for the mascot. How about the Blugolden eagles. I know LaCrosse has the eagles, but not the golden eagles. Sounds good and goes with the current mascot. (Continued…)
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