Challenging Traditions: Should Rcc Give the Mascot a Makeover?

By admin

The RCC mascot is an important symbol representing Riverside City College and its athletic teams. The mascot, officially named "Tiger," embodies the spirit, energy, and pride of the college community. The choice of a tiger as the mascot reflects the college's fierce and competitive nature. The Tiger mascot can be seen at various college events, particularly sporting events, where it rallies the crowd and boosts morale. With its vibrant orange and black costume, the mascot stands out in the crowd, creating an atmosphere of excitement and unity. The mascot interacts with the audience, dances, and performs various stunts to entertain and engage the students, faculty, and spectators.



Rcc mascot

In the fall of 1916, Riverside Junior College opened and was an extension of Poly High School with college students using Poly High classrooms. A total of 118 students were enrolled. From 1916 - 1919, Hugh Law (pictured left) served as the first principal and from 1919 - 1920, Donald McAlpine (pictured right) served. Below is the first Board of Education taken in 1918.

The 1920s at Riverside Junior College. Pictured: women's basketball team (left); men's baseball team (middle); and student officers (right) in 1921.

The 1930s at Riverside Junior College. From 1920-50, Arthur G . Paul (pictured top left) served as principal, director and was ultimately granted the title as president, making him the first president of Riverside Junior College. From 1928 - 1951, Ira Landis (pictured top right) served as superintendent of Riverside City Schools.

Justice John Gabbert, RJC class of 1929, (pictured left), ​served as president of the Associated Student Body to become a superior court judge in the County of Riverside. Below is a a picture of Gabbert (third from left) serving on the Board of Education in 1948.

From 1921 - 1958, Earl McDermont (pictured on left) served as a teacher of history, registrar and vice president. From 1950 - 1963, Orland W. Noble (pictured on right) served as the second president of Riverside City College.

The first Board of Trustees meeting was held on July 1, 1964. Top (l to r) Wilfred Airey, Ralph Bradshaw (President/Superintendent 1963 - 1972), Albert Brown; Bottom (l to r) Joseph Aguilar (Clerk of the Board), Carolyn Diffenbaugh (President), Alan Pauw (Vice President).

On April 22, 1974, the Board of Trustees announced that it had selected Foster Davidoff as the new President/Superintendent. He served from 1974 - 1978.

On March 13, 1986, Riverside City College celebrated its 70th birthday. From 1978 - 1992, Dr. Charles A. Kane served as its Superintendent/President.

Groundbreaking celebration for what is now known as Moreno Valley College. ​The college opened March 13, 1991.

​On March 13, 1991, Moreno Valley College opened its doors to students and became a fully accredited college in 2010, making it the 111th California Community College. ​There were 3,490 students enrolled that first year.

The new Riverside Aquatics Complex at Riverside City College opened on Saturday, January 21, 2011, attracting approximately 1,500 visitors. The event was filled with swimming and diving exhibitions and autograph sessions with U.S. Olympians and other world-class athletes. (Pictured on right: RCCD Chancellor Gregory Gray and Gold-medal Olympic diver Greg Louganis).

​As a crowd of over 300 community members, student and college employees looked on, Riverside City College officially opened its new, state-of-the-art School of Nursing and Math and Science Complex.

On March 5, 2013, Norco College celebrated the dedication of​ the building named after Drs. Brenda and William Davis. Dr. Brenda Davis was the first president of Norco College.

On March 13, 2016, Riverside City College celebrated their 100th birthday, and both Moreno Valley and Norco Colleges celebrated their 25th.

The mascot interacts with the audience, dances, and performs various stunts to entertain and engage the students, faculty, and spectators. The RCC mascot plays a significant role in generating enthusiasm and support for the college's athletic programs. It creates a sense of camaraderie among the fans and instills a feeling of pride in being part of the RCC community.

District Overview

The Riverside Community College District through its three colleges—Moreno Valley College, Norco College, and Riverside City College supported by the District Office—serves and enriches its diverse communities by offering certificates, degrees, and transfer programs that help students achieve their educational and career goals. The district strives to impact the social and economic mobility of its students by ensuring access, success, and equity for everyone who wishes to take advantage of the educational opportunities offered by the colleges.​​​​​

  • RCCD covers 450 square miles in the western Riverside County
  • RCCD serves six K-12 unified school districts.
  • RCCD operates three regionally accredited colleges:
    • Riverside City College (founded in 1916) www.rcc.edu
    • Moreno Valley College (accredited in 2010) www.mvc.edu
    • Norco College (accredited in 2010) www.norcocollege.edu

    The Riverside Community College District and its colleges have signed and returned to the U.S​​. Department of Education the Certification and Agreement and the assurance th​at the institution has used, or intends to use, no less than 50 percent of the funds received under Section 18004(a)(1) of the CARES Act to provide Emergency Financial Aid Grants to students. More information about the grants to students can be accessed on our COVID-19 Funding Resources page​.

    Bennie the Bengal Tiger

    A major turning point in Riverside City College athletics, and for that matter the entire college, came in the fall of 1919. Just how momentous a decision was made we’ll have to leave to your imaginations, but the issue was this: the college colors were lavender and purple. The "Junior College Notes" of November 26, 1919, comments, "Some members of the staff and student body are anxious to have the school colors changed also. At present they are lavender and purple, and many students are dissatisfied. A vote will be taken Monday to see whether the student body as a whole is desirous of the change or not."

    Unfortunately, the 1920 annual does not tell us the outcome of the student body vote; yet there's an enticing entry for January 10, 1920 — "Boys get uniforms." Surely they weren't lavender and purple! If so, that might explain the 36-10 and 45-5 losses they suffered,

    Just how the college colors became orange and black is not known. Speculation has it that the influence of A. G. Paul and other popular faculty from Occidental College played a part. And Occidental probably took its colors from its sister Presbyterian school, Princeton. The first issue of The Junior College, September 24, 1923, is printed on orange paper and carries an editorial which says, "We hope you will not overlook the color combination of this our first issue of the College. It was done especially for those entering junior college for the first time, Orange and Black are the college colors, and we hope in this way to impress them firmly upon your minds, for they're splendid colors and we're all mighty proud of them,'

    As for nicknames and mascot, there is also some mystery. An April 28, 1924, Junior College refers to Terracina Tech in a baseball story, but the 1925 Tequesquite uses "Tigers" for the first time in its article on football: "Jesse Hill and a gang of rupping, smashing Tiger gridders brought the first football championship to Riverside Junior College …”

    The first Tequesquite to use a Tiger on the cover appears in 1928. The word Bengal appears in a headline for the first time on February 4, 1927. By that time, the term Tiger is being used in sports stories in the Press. Fall issues of the Junior College in 1925 use Tigers. The Tiger mascot is a natural for the colors orange and black and, like the colors, probably derived from Occidental College.

    Athletics

    Rockland Community College offers a highly competitive athletic program within a supportive academic environment, with a strong focus on assisting student athletes in their pursuit of a four-year college degree.

    Rcc mascot

    The mascot helps create a positive and lively atmosphere, making the games more exciting and memorable for everyone involved. In addition to its presence at sporting events, the RCC mascot also participates in parades, pep rallies, and community outreach activities. It represents the college in a variety of settings, promoting school spirit and fostering a sense of connection with the wider community. Overall, the RCC mascot is an integral part of the college's identity and serves as a symbol of unity, pride, and sportsmanship. With its captivating presence and enthusiastic persona, the mascot helps create memorable experiences and fosters a sense of belonging among the RCC community..

    Reviews for "Behind the Scenes of Rcc Mascot Tryouts: What It Takes to Become the Beloved Character"

    1. Emily - 2/5 - I was really disappointed with the RCC mascot. It just didn't have the vibe I was expecting. It looked more like a generic animal costume rather than a unique and exciting representation of our college spirit. The colors and design seemed outdated, and it didn't reflect the energy and excitement of our school. I was hoping for something more modern and eye-catching. Overall, I found the mascot to be unimpressive and forgettable.
    2. Alex - 1/5 - The RCC mascot was a huge letdown for me. It lacked creativity and didn't capture the essence of our college at all. The design seemed rushed and poorly executed. It didn't have any unique features or characteristics that would make it stand out. It just looked like any other generic mascot you would find at a random event. I was expecting something more representative of our college's values and personality. This mascot failed to meet my expectations and left me feeling underwhelmed.
    3. Sarah - 2/5 - The RCC mascot was just plain mediocre. It didn't wow me or make me feel any sort of connection to our college. The design was average at best, and it looked like something I've seen a million times before. I was hoping for a mascot that would generate excitement and pride among students and alumni, but this one fell flat. It lacked creativity and originality, and I was left feeling disappointed. I don't think the mascot accurately represents the spirit and energy of our college community.
    4. Michael - 2/5 - The RCC mascot was a missed opportunity. It lacked personality and failed to engage the college community. The design felt generic and uninspiring, and it didn't leave a lasting impression on me. I was expecting a mascot that would make me feel proud and excited, but instead, I felt apathetic towards it. The lack of creativity and uniqueness was disappointing, and I think RCC could have done better in selecting a mascot that truly represents our college's spirit.

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