List of proposed ASU mascot names narrowed to 12
November 14, 2007

By Tom Moore
ASU Public Relations

JONESBORO - The nine constituency chairs serving on the Mascot Selection Screening Committee met today to review the master list of suggestions that had been submitted by all groups. Twelve proposed names have been referred for further consideration by the full committee. A total of 42 proposed names were submitted to the group for evaluation.

The twelve names are: A’s, Black Wolves, Diamonds, Express, Mallards, Mustangs, Red Dragons, Red Storm, Red Wolves, Ridge Raiders, Ridge Runners and Thunderbirds.

According to Jim Pickens, who chaired the meeting, these 12 names will be forwarded to the full Mascot Selection Screening committee for evaluation. At the next meeting, the group is expected to select approximately five names to be given to the selected sports marketing firm to research and develop related imagery.

The deadline for marketing firms to respond to the request for proposals is Friday, Nov. 16. After a review by the ASU staff to ensure that all provisions of the proposals meet the defined criteria, selected members from the MSS committee will review these documents to determine which firms should be brought in for presentations. It is hopeful that a firm can be secured by Nov. 30.

Pickens congratulated the group on a successful conclusion to the first phase in their three step process. The first phase which has been labeled the “suggestion” phase provided more than 1,500 suggestions which were posted on the web site by the general public. He noted they are currently engaged in the second phase which incorporates the “screening” of potential names and the committee has accomplished this task by bringing forward these 12 names for additional consideration out of the larger pool. The third phase, which will be the “recommendation” of a new name and imagery, is not expected to be completed until the spring semester.

I think I like Express first, with Thunderbirds a close second.

My favorite is the red wolves, which is what the mascot will be when its all said and done.

A mangy looking animal on the verge of extinction...not sure that's what I'd want.

I think they should have got a different group on the panel that selected these names. They all stink.

A razorback may not be on the verge of extinction, but I would call it mangy looking...

Yeah, one of the best mascots in the country. Unique, mean, and yep, nasty! I just don't like red wolves, and I hope it ends up Express or Thunderbirds.

haha i think they should be called the pigs

They did NOT even consider the MOST APPROPRIATE name.....

I think it shoul,d be "The Eunuchs"................

At least the Decision Making Group deserve that name!

If it ends up being the express maybe they can sell naming rights to all athletic facilities to Fed Ex and help with the athletic departments revenue.

Looks like the Kait8 voters agree with my first choice.
http://www.kait8.com/Global/category.asp?C=4389#poll66189

My favorite are the Express and Ridgerunners.

And, yes, Razorbacks is the best mascot in the country.

I agree with you 110%. That is a terrible final 12 choices. Can not figure out why Scaret Wave did not make finals. Maybe the marketing group will convince the panel to reconsider.

Have not seen anything in regards to the Stadium name. The NCAA ruling doesn't mention stadium names, thus I think the stadium should remain Indian Stadium, in honor of the past.

None of these are any good. Just like naming the Convocation Center.....yawn. Might as well have called it the Gym. Typical ASU decision making.

Ya know, why not be called the Big Red's? It would not have took to much thinking to come up with better names than they did.. Sheesh