Joining the growing number of university

mascots that promote, dance and entertain their way into a fan’s heart,

Eastern Oregon University’s new “Mountaineer” will make its first

public appearance Friday, at the men’s and women’s basketball games

against Warner Pacific College.

While the iconic character has yet to be named, its overall

look and blue and gold apparel align with EOU’s current effort to

reshape the institution’s future and promote a stronger and more viable

organization.

“I think it is important to the success of a

university to have a mascot because it creates a visual identity,” said

Nick Romriell, president of the Associated Students of EOU. “When we

started talking about a mascot at EOU, people became really excited.

The Mascot Committee worked very hard on this project and the campus

groups involved were very supportive.”

Romriell’s wife, Jennifer, a student majoring in theater arts at EOU, created the original design concept for the costume.

“The Mascot Committee asked me to come up with several ideas

which we presented to students and clubs across campus,” Jennifer said.

“The Mountaineer was by far the favorite.”

Mascot Committee members represented various campus groups

including student government, student clubs, the EOU Alumni Association

and athletics. The committee also received input from EOU’s Office of

Multicultural Affairs.

“We think it is a wonderful idea,” said Mary Jo Lemon,

president of the EOU Alumni Association. “When the student body

approached us, showed us some of their design concepts and talked about

how they would use the costume, we all got excited about the project.”

The mascot will be used throughout the region to increase

audience enthusiasm at athletic events, create memorable experiences at

student recruitment and alumni receptions, and provide EOU with an

exciting new face at parades and other public events.

A campus wide contest to name the new character will be

launched in the near future. The EOU Alumni Association and the

athletics Booster Club paid for the costume.