Old mascot faces new competition

EMU recently decided that it is once again time to change the picture of the Royals' lion.

The history of the lion starts with a man named Les Helmuth. Helmuth was the director of alumni/church/parent relations and got the bright idea in 1980 to develop a lion mascot which would encourage fundraising and school spirit. The original artist of the mascot symbol was Darrel Yoder, a senior education major. Helmuth used Yoder's drawing to create a mascot; the new mascot was used primarily by the Loyal Royals (athletic booster club) and the athletic department. When the lion mascot was first introduced, the Loyal Royals and the athletic department voted to allow periodic changes.

The athletic department's goal is to improve drawing of the mascot. When asked what was wrong with the old mascot, Ken L.Nafziger, vice president of Student Life, said, "Periodically we do like to upgrade the mascot. The one now is somewhat fuzzy; the edges aren't crisp."

Nafziger believes that while the change is still underway the students and faculty have influence in which mascot will replace the old one, if any. On Tuesday morning, March 16, the Mascot Review Committee had a meeting to discuss the finalization of the two best proposals for the new mascot. The committee is chaired by the VP for Enrollment and Marketing Services and also includes staff members from Graphic Design/Marketing Services, a faculty member of the Loyal Royals, the director of alumni/church/parent relations, an SGA senator (preferably an athlete), and, of course, the VP for Student Life. These eight members will choose several options from the list of potential mascots. The committee sends out a special thanks to Cindy Gutler, a professor in the art department, who required her class to participate in the contest.

While asking students for their opinions about the change to a new mascot, Janet Baker, a first year student, replied, "They're finally changing it to an emu?"

Her comment might bring some stipulation about a future mascot idea. Rachel Sims, also a first-year student, says, "I just thought that was a joke for the Feather Brain. I guess I don't mind that much; I don't know what it looks like now."

With that in mind, Brenna Steury, an exemplary freshman muses, "They're changing the mascot? I'm all for it, anything to improve Royal Pride." It's always exciting to hear different points of view. That's why the mascot with the potential to be a contestant will be sent to the president's cabinet for final approval. That's when the EMU faculty, staff, and students come in to have the final word. They will have to choose one of the two mascots shown in the pictures-the original and the potential. When all the votes are counted, the winner will be announced to the EMU community. Though they have not decided when the vote will take place, the Loyal Royals and athletic department hopes to have as many people participate as possible.