NSU Announces Mascot Finalists

Thursday, October 5th 2006, 9:37 am

By: News On 6

TAHLEQUAH, Okla. (AP) -- Northeastern State University, which is eliminating Redmen as its team name, announced Thursday that it will select its new mascot from six finalists: Thunderhawks, Thunderbirds, Riverhawks, Riverwolves, War Eagles and Wolves.

The university notified the NCAA Sept. 29 that it would change the name to one that did not make reference to the American Indian culture. The NCAA can bar schools with "hostile or abusive" team names from hosting or participating in the organization's championship events.

"Each of the mascots we have put forth for consideration would represent Northeastern equally well," said NSU President Dr. Larry Williams. "Our next step is to solicit input from our patrons on which potential mascot they want to rally around."

NSU accepted suggestions for potential mascots from Aug. 15 through Sept. 30. More than 450 mascots proposals were made, and a task force narrowed the selections to the final six.

Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and members of the community will be able to designate their favorite finalist on the school's website, www.nsuok.edu/mascot.