Creating a mascot for the Southeastern’s Savage Storm nickname was a two-year project that has helped transform the University. The movement began in 2012 when identity emerged as a key theme of professional development initiatives as President Larry Minks initiated transformational change at Southeastern. At all levels - from faculty and administration to staff and students - the University embraced change as an opportunity, committing to embracing the future of Southeastern.
President Minks reformed SE’s Mascot Task Force and began to explore several mascot concepts related to the Savage Storm nickname. Members of the Task Force included every senior level member of the Executive Team with Dr. Larry Minks (President), Dr. Doug McMillan (V.P. of Academic Affairs), Ross Walkup (V.P. of Business Affairs), and Sharon Robinson (V.P. of Student Affairs). The majority of the executive team was included in the Task Force including (alphabetically) Keith Baxter (Director of Athletics), Alan Burton (University Communication), Michele Campbell (President’s Office), Liz McCraw (Enrollment Management), Dan Moore (Information Technology), and Kyle Stafford (Advancement). The Task Force was rounded out by key members of the administration including Kelly D’Arcy (Residence Life), Camille Phelps (Dean of Students), Dr. Jerry Polson (Academic Affairs), and Luke Willman (Athletics and later Interactive Marketing).
MASCOT HISTORY
Southeastern was forced to change its nickname from the Savages and remove all symbols with Native American representation in 2005 when the NCAA adopted a new policy to prohibit NCAA colleges and universities from displaying “hostile or abusive racial, ethnic, national origin mascots, nicknames or imagery” at any of the NCAA’s national or regional championship competitions. In 2006, Southeastern transitioned from Savages to the Savage Storm, a nickname chosen by a Mascot Task Force led by then-President Glen D. Johnson who now serves at the Chancellor of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. Southeastern’s metamorphosis from the Savages to the Savage Storm is a proud legacy of the Chancellor and a nickname Southeastern will continue to utilize.
LAUNCH
On September 5, 2014, over 400 Southeastern students packed Glen D. Johnson Student Union for a rally promoted to Southeastern students, faculty and staff. They were joined by over 100 Southeastern employees, the SE Cheerleaders, the Sparks Dance Team, the Southeastern Chorale and
the Spirit of Southeastern Marching Band. A second reveal was made later that day in Tailgate alley just minutes before the Savage Storm football team opened the season on a Thursday night with a dramatic 56-50 win over Great American Conference opponent Southern Arkansas. President Minks unveiled the concept to alumni, fans and community members.
NAMING CONTEST
During the September 5
th rally, the naming contest web site –
www.SE.edu/mascot – went live in conjunction with the mascot unveiling. During a two-week submission period, nearly 100 unique name suggestions were submitted by over 475 fans.
President Minks convened a comprehensive Mascot naming team that included over twenty additional internal and external stakeholders. That naming team narrowed the list of mascot name submissions down to four finalists - Bolt, Lightning, Stormy, and Sulli. Thousands of fans then flocked to the online polls and voted 4,636 times – nearly 500 votes per day – for their favorite of the four finalists.
With an overwhelming majority at 60.55% of the votes,
BOLT won the vote and was announced as the new Savage Storm mascot debuted at Southeastern Homecoming 2013 during the first weekend in October.
DEBUT
Bolt first appeared at Friday night’s annual Homecoming Bonfire where he danced with the student body to a music montage including DJ Kool’s
Let Me Clear My Throat, Usher’s
Yeah, The Isley Brothers
Shout, Naughty By Nature’s
Hip Hop Hooray, and Sir Mix-A-Lot’s
Baby Got Back (left).
On Saturday morning, Bolt rode in the Homecoming Parade through downtown Durant (below) waving to fans and distributing coloring contest forms to children. Bolt crashed a coffee in historic Bloomer Sullivan Gymnasium where former-athletes gathered to visit and share stories. Bolt then made two appearances in Tailgate Alley taking pictures with students, fans and alumni. During the Homecoming football game at Paul Laird Field at Southeastern, Bolt led the football team out of the tunnel as the Savage Storm battled Texas A&M-Commerce and stormed the field for media time outs dancing for the crowed then shooting t-shirts into the home stands.
THE STORY OF THE SAVAGE STORM MASCOT
Like the thunderstorms that roll across Oklahoma and the bison who live there – we do not back down from challenges. Drawing from our storied history of Pride, Resilience and Strength we band together and face adversity head on. Southeastern Oklahoma State University continues to build its reputation and tradition on the foundation laid by great people.
Southeastern is filled with PRIDE.
Our rich history, dynamic present and bright future unites Southeastern students, alumni, faculty, staff, fans and community.
Southeastern epitomizes RESILIENCE.
Unique in their instinctive defiance, bison face adversity head on. We are also facing life’s challenges with courage and patience. We refuse to give up. Southeastern continues to not only weather harsh conditions but finish the fight and become a driving force.
Southeastern embodies STRENGTH.
With faith in ourselves and one another, the obstacles we overcome unite us as they make us strong. Our tenacious spirit separates us from others. Poised for the future, our collective potential becomes immeasurable.
United in our love for Southeastern and for each other we personify the Pride, Resilience and Strength that make our University great.
Together We Roll to Victory.
