GCSU mascot to come, spirit group claims
The group began as a handful of friends who loved to get rowdy and show their spirit at GCSU basketball games in the front row of the Centennial Center. These friends call themselves the GCSU Thundercats and there is no longer anything small about their size and impact on campus.
Even with all their accomplishments these super fans are now anxiously awaiting the approval, production and the arrival of a GCSU Bobcat mascot suit
“We have done all the research for getting a suit, SGA has approved funding,” said Jason Hendrix, vice president and chairman of the mascot committee for the Thundercats. “Everything has to be approved through the school, they have the final say on whether or not the mascot suit happens.”
The spirit group became a Recognized Student Organization in Spring 2007, they have their own constitution and 46 members, including six officers according to the Thundercats’ official website. This ambitious group broadened their responsibilities and mission “to encourage student involvement and enthusiasm at all athletic related events, to rejuvenate school pride, and to bring life back into the Bobcat community,” as stated in their constitution.
The Thundercats’ body-painted members are now seen and heard on many different sidelines including GCSU soccer and softball games. They have made a noticeable improvement in attendance and spirit at GCSU sporting events, winning more support from the community.
“Thanks to the Thundercats and everyone else for coming out to the Women’s Soccer game against UNC Pembroke last night — the crowd was awesome!” posted Michelle Parr, assistant coach of the Lady Bobcats’ soccer team on the Thundercats’ Facebook site after a game on Sept. 15, 2007.
Now that the Thundercats are getting members and support they are currently focused on getting a GCSU Bobcat mascot on campus to help take the school’s spirit to the next level.
Hendrix said they hoped to have the suit ordered and in production by Sept. 30, 2007, so the Bobcat mascot could make its début at the first basketball game played at home on Nov. 26, 2007 against Carver Bible College.
“The suit still has not been ordered,” said Hendrix. “We are still waiting on the necessary approval from the school.”
Despite delays the approval process has moved into its final stages. An actual mascot would be a first for the university.
“The Thundercats have done a great job getting the idea for a mascot in motion and jumping through the necessary hoops,” said Nick Mahlburg, a senior environmental science major. “It is exciting to think that it could actually happen and it would be the first for the school. I think it would really get more people involved and make them more spirited.”
Once the suit is purchased a contest would be held to determine a name for the mascot to help get the GCSU community more involved. This gives any student a chance to make history by naming the first mascot GCSU has ever had.
“I have heard the name ‘Bobby the Bobcat’ thrown around a lot,” said sophomore Alex Pound. “That is a lame name. Name the mascot ‘Siegfried the Bobcat’ or better yet we should drop the whole bobcat mascot and go with a beaver. A beaver mascot would be amazing.”
The GCSU Bobcat mascot has not arrived on campus yet but, thanks to the GCSU Thundercats, it is closer than ever before. Despite all the hurdles, the addition of a Bobcat mascot would only enhance spirit and pride in the GCSU community. To find out more about the Thundercats and the progress of the mascot suit visit their official website at web.mac.com/jason_
hendrix/Thundercats/Home.html, and check out the Thundercats group on www.facebook.com.
Posted by Colonnade Archives
on Oct 5 2007. Filed under Sports.
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