Catawba College Sideline Mascot

A sideline mascot is full of significance and impact. It is a symbolic figure, a rallying point, and a representative for the entire community - students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and community members. Selecting a mascot that reflects Catawba's spirit, values, and culture was crucial.

From energizing athletic events to fostering a sense of unity and pride, the sideline mascot plays a role that extends far beyond the physical emblem or costume. It becomes an integral part of the school's identity and branding.

On February 19, 1927, Catawba College formally adopted the name “Indians” for our athletic teams by “unanimous vote of the student body” with support of the Catawba College Athletic Association.

In August of 2005, The NCAA Executive Committee issued guidance on the adoption of a new policy, effective February 1, 2006, prohibiting NCAA colleges and universities from “displaying hostile and abusive racial/ethnic/national origin mascots, nicknames or imagery” and explicitly listed Catawba College and the Indians nickname as a member institution impacted by this policy (NCAA, 2005).  Prior to the NCAA ruling, the College had already formed a task force. It had taken proactive steps over the previous years by discontinuing the College’s mascot and removing all renderings of Native Americans across campus, citing that the representations were not accurate representations of the Catawba Indians and their culture.    

In October of 2005, the Catawba College Board of Trustees authorized a formal appeal to the NCAA for the continued use of the athletic nickname, Indians.   The late Chief Gilbert Blue of the Catawba Nation spoke directly with the NCAA chair of the appeals committee, Dr. Bernard Franklin, and voiced support for the College to continue using Indians as the College’s athletic nickname.  In May 2006, the NCAA ruled Catawba College could use without penalty the athletic nickname, Catawba Indians, specifically, not Indians, citing support from the Catawba Nation as the rationale for the continued use.

In 2007, Catawba College and the Catawba Nation agreed for the continued use of the athletic nickname, Catawba Indians, in exchange for a full-tuition scholarship for a Catawba Nation student every four years.  This scholarship agreement remained in effect through the 2021-22 academic year. No other symbol or logo was included as part of this agreement.

The addition of Blue, the sideline mascot, does not alter our nickname, the Catawba Indians. Catawba is not alone in having a sideline mascot that differs from its nickname. Other prominent institutions include the UNC Tarheels (ram), Virginia Tech Hokies (turkey), and Alabama Crimson Tide (elephant).

The process began in the Spring of 2020 but was paused shortly after due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the Summer of 2023, a new steering committee was formed including student leaders, athletic department staff, alumni, faculty, and administrative staff to help steer the process. 

President David P. Nelson charged the steering committee to follow three guiding principles during the process:

1.    Honor college tradition and respect our friends of the Catawba Nation
2.    Can be embraced warmly by alumni, students, and friends of the college. I.e., it ‘fits’
3.    Marketable and relatable (doesn’t require undue explanation and is not divisive) 

The committee met regularly throughout the Fall 2023 semester. They conducted several surveys and in-person focus groups to collect suggestions and feedback. A design firm specializing in athletic logo and mascot design work was also hired in Fall 2023 – Summit Athletics. Summit assisted the steering committee in vetting and narrowing the list of mascots for consideration. The College’s licensing attorney researched the top three contenders, allowing us to narrow our recommendations to two for consideration.

A final selection was made in Fall 2024, and a recommendation was shared with the Athletics Policy Committee of Catawba's Board of Trustees. They offered the steering committee a full endorsement. The recommendation was shared with the full Board of Trustees members at the October 2024 meeting, where they endorsed moving forward.

The new sideline mascot will be unveiled in August 2025.