Recently, interest in having a real mascot, complete with a full costume, has peaked among staff members and the athletic department. Currently Houghton has mascot garb including a plaid kilt and bagpipes for the Scottish highlander, but not a full costume and it has not been worn consistently in the past. The new mascot, according to Jeff Babbitt, director of marketing and communications, would be, “a real-feeling mascot, like an animal costume” and would similar to “one that you would recognize when you think of mascots like the Syracuse Orange or the Texas Longhorns.”
According to Babbitt, this past semester two focus groups were held. Twelve students were brought in and asked questions in regards to the idea of having a mascot, what a mascot could do, and the qualities a mascot should possess. From the students, they received quality feedback on the characteristics the mascot should have. First, students felt that the mascot should be gender neutral. The school thought about getting a mascot that looked like a Scottish man with the highlander garb for the sake of consistency, but it would be an accurate representation of the student body and the athletics program because most of Houghton’s students are women.
Also, the students mentioned the mascot needed to connect with the athletics branding Houghton already has in place. It became apparent a lion would perhaps work with that. Additionally, the idea of the lion would be unique because it would be different from other schools Houghton’s athletics teams often play against in the Empire 8 Conference. Lastly, students wanted the mascot to look professional and to be kid-friendly.
Houghton has never had an official mascot, but became the Highlanders in 1967 through a student vote due to the additions of intercollegiate sports the same year. According to Babbitt, in 2004 the athletics department undertook a rebranding project in which they brought in a company from the outside that specialized in logo design. Babbitt added, “It was a time where we needed a fresh look.” Ultimately the company produced the lion, Houghton’s current purple and gold colors, and the “HC” that appears in athletics and on Campus Store merchandise. Originally the lion was just meant to be a secondary logo, but it gained traction and began appearing on everything associated with Houghton. The rampant lion does tie into the Scottish heritage however, since it is the unofficial Scottish flag. It symbolizes bravery and courage and comes from a seal of Scottish nobility.
According to Babbitt, there will be tryouts for the mascot in the fall. The mascot will then be launched at an event like Homecoming. The student chosen to portray the mascot would be compensated through a work study job, or a similar form of compensation. Babbitt said, “[We] want someone who is energetic, has athletic ability to jump around and dance, could help develop the personality of the mascot, would pump the crowd up, and would mingle with people at events.” The mascot would be present at sports games, events such as Homecoming, Purple and Gold Week, Help day, campus visit days, and Kingdom Bound. According to Babbitt, the true test of success of the mascot will be if people try to take selfies with their mascot because that means they are excited to see it.