President Jane Close Conoley today received and ratified a student-led vote on a new mascot for the university. With 53 percent of the vote, students selected "shark" by a wide margin over "stingray" and the option of having no mascot at all.
This final vote and ratification by Conoley conclude a months-long student-initiated process that first widely solicited ideas for a new mascot, sent semifinalist concepts to a broad community vote, and finally offered up three finalists for a student referendum that ended last week.
The choice of "sharks" aligns with the campus' renowned Shark Lab and its proximity to the beach.
.@LBSUAthletics is excited to add the "shark" to our family as the new mascot. With that said, will will not be rebranding uniforms, logos, or any other marks related to the athletic department. We continue to be 'The Beach'! #BeachStrong #GoBeach https://t.co/IC8RSDrq5R
— Andy Fee (@TheAndyFee) May 11, 2019
The university's previous mascot, "Prospector Pete," was retired in spring 2018. However, the term "'49er" remains an informal nickname and identifier for anyone affiliated with the university as an alumnus/alumna, employee, student, or supporter. The term references the institution's founding year and continues to hold significance as the university recognizes its 70th anniversary this year. Several organizations on campus also use the term, including the Daily 49er student newspaper and the 49er Foundation.
"We have benefited from a thoughtful, thorough, and inclusive process by our students," Conoley said. "I am grateful to all the university's stakeholders for their participation."
Selection of the "shark" now initiates a year-long development process to determine the visual look of the mascot, its personality characteristics, design of mascot uniforms and illustrations, and any associated wordmarks. This, again, will be informed by a multi-stakeholder, inclusive process now led by a university steering committee that will be appointed by Conoley.
The university's intercollegiate athletics program will continue to use "Beach Athletics", and its teams the prefix moniker "Beach" – as in, "Beach Men's Volleyball," the team that won the NCAA national championship earlier this month.
