In 2003, Arkansas State University decided to make a new mascot, named Red, created by ASU’s director of athletic marketing, Andrea Scott.
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“The spirit character began as a project to design a character that looks friendly, is unique, and is not an animal,” Andrea said. “I was looking for something out of the ordinary that’s presence could elevate spirit at ball games.”
“Red absolutely will not replace Arkansas State’s official mascot, the Indian Family,” said Dr. Dean Lee, ASU director of athletics.
“Red was named because that was how he was perceived by the marketing analysis and research groups, which were children and youth,” said Dr. Dean Lee, ASU’s athletic director.
He has won many awards, such as: 2004 – Universal Cheerleader Association – won 3rd place as “best mascot”
2005 – Universal Cheerleader Association – won “best mascot”
2005 – University Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship – won 6th place
2006 – Universal Cheerleader Association – won “best mascot”
2006 – College National Mascot Championship – won 2nd place Lost only to Auburns "Aubie", and beat Michigan State University's “Sparty”, University of Delaware's “YoUDee”, University of Minnesota's “Goldy Gopher”, University of Kentucky's “Wildcat”, University of Tennessee's “Smoky”, University of Iowa's “Herky the Hawk”, University of Alabama's “Big Al”, University of Wisconsin's “Bucky Badger”.
2006 – Southern Living magazine – All-South football section
2007 – College National Mascot Championship – won 4th place He won over Tennessee's "Smokey", Colorado's "Chip", Delaware's "YoUDee", Alabama's "Big AL", Louisiana State's "Mike the Tiger", and Northern Iowa's "TC".
Former mascots/nicknames
Indians (Indian Family) – 1931 A year after the Warrior name was added, they decided to change it to the Indians, because they were similar.
The Indian Family are three students, which include Chief Big Track, named after the legendary chief of the Osage Tribe.
“The Indian Family maintains a stately and dignified persona, befitting the Indian tribes which once lived in this area, as the official mascot of Arkansas State athletics and they will still have a major presence at our game day events,” said Lee.
‘Red’ – 2003 ~ ‘Red’ was created as a spirit character to bring excitement to women’s and men’s athletic events for the youth. He was not the official mascot.
Red Wolves (Howl) – 2008 ~ Because of the NCAA rules, Arkansas State was forced to change their "Indians" nickname to the "Red Wolves".
ASU Indian Family
The school's sports teams were nicknamed "Indians" in honor of the Osage Nation that inhabited the area until the 1800s. The name “Indians” officially became the school’s athletic nickname in 1931 following “Aggies” in 1911 (sometimes called “Farmers”), “Gorillas” in 1925, and then “Warriors” in 1930.
On June 18, 2007, Arkansas State's Mascot Review Committee unanimously approved a recommendation for Arkansas State to retire the "Indians" nickname and all Native American mascots and imagery. The time frame for finding a new mascot is yet to be determined. Chancellor Robert L. Potts promised a broad-based search to be guided by a Mascot Selection Steering Committee. The move for the name change comes in response to the NCAA's 2005 ban on ethnically or racially derogatory mascots at championship events.
Red Wolves (Howl)
The panel selecting the new nickname first narrowed the list down to twelve finalists: A's, Black Wolves, Red Wolves, Diamonds, Express, Mallards, Mustangs, Red Dragons, Red Storm, Ridge Runners, Ridge Riders and Thunderbirds. A meeting was held on December 3, 2007 to review the list, which was narrowed in January 2008 to Red Wolves, Ridge Riders or Express Train. [1]
On January 31, 2008, Arkansas State University’s Mascot Selection Steering Committee decided to use the Red Wolves as a mascot. Arkansas State officially retired the Indian mascot on February 28, 2008 during the last home basketball game of the season.
The roll-out ceremony for the new Red Wolves logo was held on March 13.