Aaron Berkowitz – General Assignment Reporter
Say “sayonara” to Otis the Owl and “hello” to Sam the Sperm Whale as SCSU decides to adopt a new mascot to go along with all of the other new additions to campus.
President Papazian said the decision was made after a conference was held and board members came to the conclusion that SCSU’s Otis no longer fits the image they are trying to portray.
“We are really sticking with the mentality that next semester will be a turnaround year for the university,” said Papazian. “I really believe Sam the Sperm Whale will be accepted by the campus with open arms and will be a face for SCSU that we can wear proudly.”
Papazian said she also wants to establish more independence for the school as the campus continues to grow.
“Temple University was founded in 1884 and chose the owl as their mascot before us,” said Papazian. “Nine years later in 1893 SCSU was founded and chose an owl as well. Now that it is 2014 I think it’s safe to say that the school has changed dramatically since then. Change isn’t always bad and since we are in the middle of changing the campus we are fully committing to the process.”
According to statesymbolsusa.org, Connecticut’s state animal is the Sperm Whale and represents a large portion of history in the state.
Francheska Morales, sophomore communications major, said she is for the changing of the mascot.
“UCONN changed their mascot,” said Morales. “Look at all of the success they have had. I don’t think the mascot determines the well being of the school, plus I think the change from an owl to a whale will show the growth our school is going through. A whale certainly seems more respected as an animal.”
Jamie Rowland, junior liberal arts major, said he doesn’t care much about the mascot change.
“People are flipping out over the wrong things,” said Rowland. “I came to school to graduate so I don’t really get emotionally invested in what the mascot of our school is. “
Rowland said even though he isn’t interested in the changing of a mascot, he does support the university trying to change their image and expanding the campus.
“Even though I’m graduating next year I guess it’s good that the school is making changes to try and improve our image.”
Seth Smith, junior accounting major, said he thinks the changing of the school’s mascot is “the biggest mistake we have made we have made as a school in a while.”
“The basketball team is coming off of a great year and so are both swim teams,” said Smith. “So why would we switch mascots now? I don’t get it at all. We have begun to establish ourselves as one of the more elite Division II programs in all of those sports so I am frustrated to see that we are already abandoning the brand we began to build.”
Smith said he thinks a college’s mascot is an identifier that should not be tampered with.
“Yale has the Bulldogs, UCONN has the huskies, Texas has the Longhorns,” said Smith. “You get what I am saying? We are the Owls. I can’t picture being called the Sperm Whales, but maybe that’s just me.”
The logo on the football and the basketball court will be changed in late April, according to Robert Sheeley, Associate Vice President for Capital Budgeting & Facilities Operations.
“Our main priority is the well-being of the students,” said Sheeley. “We want them to have the best classes and learning environment as possible. Sam the Sperm Whale will be the new symbol for our students. I couldn’t think of a better animal to represent our university. This feels right to all of us.”
