Archived News |

June 27, 2006

ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ unveils new mascot

Joined by over 1,000 excited ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ family 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 ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ family, 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 ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ unveiled 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 "ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ Warhawks Day."

The ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ Pep 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 ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ student 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 ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ Mascot 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 ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ Bookstore, 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, ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ will 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 ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ website: .

For merchandise, please visit the ÃÛ½ÛÖ±²¥ Bookstore or go online at .

Warhawks-related stories from The (Monroe, LA) News-Star:


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