Catawba College Sideline Mascot

The 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.

The Search

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.

Will there be a mascot program?

Yes! Street Characters is designing and manufacturing the mascot costumes. We will recruit a roster of students to serve as mascot performers and keepers who will entertain crowds at home games, admissions and alumni events, and engagements across the local community.

We're Still the Catawba Indians

Adding a sideline mascot will not change our nickname of the Catawba Indians. Catawba is not alone in having a sideline mascot that is different from the nickname. Other prominent institutions include the UNC Tar Heels (ram), Virginia Tech Hokies (turkey), The Miami Hurricanes (ibis), and the Alabama Crimson Tide (elephant).

Adoption of Catawba's Nickname

On February 19, 1927, the Catawba Athletic Association adopted the name "Indians" for its athletic teams. The student who selected this name offered many substantial reasons for which he thought it particularly suitable. The nickname was adopted by a unanimous vote of the student body.

Sideline Mascot vs Nickname - What's the Difference?

Our sideline mascot is a character that engages fans and actively appears on the sidelines of sporting events, while a nickname is a word or phrase given to athletic teams. The two are not always directly connected.