SAVAGE STORM MASCOT PROJECT SUMMARY
Creating a mascot for the Southeastern’s Savage Storm nickname was a two-year project that has helped transform Southeastern Oklahoma State 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), Camille Phelps (Dean of Students), and Kyle Stafford (Advancement). The Task Force was rounded out by key members of the administration including Kelly D’Arcy (Residence Life), 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.A video produced by Luke Willman was released through both Southeastern’s and GoSoutheastern's official YouTube channels and linked in multiple email blasts. The video is a comprehensive look of the University’s mascot and nickname history and received over 1,000 views in a two-week span. LAUNCH
In order to introduce the new Savage Storm mascot to students, alumni, faculty and staff, student-athletes, fans, admissions, community leaders and other key stakeholders of Southeastern Oklahoma State University, a launch plan was developed by Stone Ward and Southeastern to effectively build community recognition and appreciation of the new mascot, increase positive school spirit around the Savage Storm nickname and mascot, created brand ambassadors on and around campus, generate campus and community involvement, and generate awareness through social media platforms.A tease video produced by Luke Willman was released through Southeastern’s official YouTube channel and linked in multiple email blasts. The video gave a brief history of the University’s mascot and nickname history, promoted “9.5.13” as “another historic moment in SE history” and received over 1,000 views in a two-week span.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 under the direction of Mishael Metheny and the Sparks Dance Team led by Riley Coker, plus Dr. Stacy Weger and the Southeastern Chorale and Dr. Jacob Wallace and Spirit of Southeastern Marching Band (pictured). A t-shirt giveaway for the first 100 students and first 50 faculty and staff was used to promote attendance to the rally. Every t-shirt voucher was given away a full hour before the rally began and buzz about the event spread virally helping produce the large crowd. Vouchers were used because the promotional t-shirt included a likeness of the mascot which had yet to be revealed. The shirts were distributed immediately after the event (pictured). The Chorale opened the rally with Southeastern’s Alma Mater. The program was emceed by Luke Willman and focused on remarks from President Minks. It also included two videos before the reveal - one that chronicled the history of Southeastern’s nicknames and mascots (see above) and another which told the story of the Savage Storm mascot and linked the new imagery to the nickname (see below). Both were researched and produced by Willman and used pictures and video from Southeastern’s archives including the work of L. David Norris in his book, A History of Southeastern Oklahoma State University Since 1909, and long-time Southeastern employee and orignal Sports Information Director Harold Harmon.
With Dr. Larry Minks and SGA President Joseph Badan dropped the curtain, the student body erupted in applause as a life-size cut-out of the new Savage Storm mascot was revealed for the first time (pictured).Following the reveal, a reaction video was shown which included pre-recorded comments from former SE President and current Chancellor Glen D. Johnson, Regent John Massey, Athletic Director Keith Baxter, former Alumni President and ‘Voice of Southeastern’ Mark Webb, former SE and GAC SAAC President Chris Roussell, SGA President Badan, and Professor of the Year Blythe Duell. This reaction video was shot and produced by Claudinia Roman (Telecommunications Video Technician). Alumni President Rob Piearcy and football captain Coby Ragsdale offered brief remarks live and The Spirit of Southeastern Marching Band closed the program with the Savage Storm Fight Song.After the event, pictures from the rally flooded social media (pictured) while hastags #SavageStorm and #WeRollToVictory trended on Twitter.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
Luke Willman teamed with Network Operations - including Austin Harman (Director of Network Operations), Drew Harbin (Systems Technician), Thomas Wines (Network Manager), and Cody Wood (Programmer/Systems Administrator) - to develop a page within Southeastern’s web site to further engage fans in the process by implementing a mascot naming contest. The page would go live in two phases - first an online name submission period, followed by an online vote for one of four name finalists.
During the September 5th rally, the naming contest web site – . and the Athletics Department’s Twitter feed @GoSoutheastern and Facebook page www.Facebook.com/GoSoutheastern.
The GoSoutheastern Facebook page remains the fastest-growing athletic page in the Great American Conference and is the second most ‘Liked’ page among small colleges in Oklahoma. The GoSoutheastern Facebook page ranks second among GAC schools and eighth among the 40+ NCAA Division II Universities in the South Central Region. When enrollment at fellow DII regional schools is taken into account, GoSoutheastern Facebook ranks 2nd in the region in Facebook Page ‘Likes’ per students enrolled.
THE STORY OF THE SAVAGE STORM MASCOT
A story for the new Savage Storm mascot and imagery was needed to create a clear link between the concept and the nickname. A team consisting of Keith Baxter, Alan Burton, Michele Campbell, and Luke Willman were charged with developing this element of the project. Tapping into the resources across campus, the group solicited ideas from select student, faculty and staff members for a language that best made the connection. Willman compiled the versions which the group tweaked over the course of a month of electronic discourse. The last line, “Together We Roll To Victory” was the brainchild of Baxter who recognized the potential for using the phrase on social media and developing a tradition at athletic events.
This final version was presented to Dr. arry Minks and approved for use in various aspects of the launch:
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.
