The Magic Carpet Galveston is an intriguing attraction located on the beautiful island of Galveston, Texas. This unique experience offers visitors the opportunity to soar high above the island and witness breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding areas. The Magic Carpet Galveston is a state-of-the-art, fully enclosed observation deck that is suspended several hundred feet in the air. It is constantly in motion, providing a thrilling and dynamic experience for all who dare to ride it. The deck is made of transparent acrylic, allowing visitors to have an unobstructed view of the stunning landscape below. The ride begins at Pier 21 in historic downtown Galveston, where visitors board the Magic Carpet.
Historically, we’ve had few mascots but many nicknames. As we paged through old athletic programs and the archives, a few things were abundantly clear: Our unwavering affinity for the black & gold, loud MacLeod plaid, and Scottish Terriers.
We even held a First-Year Seminar class in Fall 2019 on the Fighting Scots as a historical concept and asked students to think critically about what it meant to have the Highlander with shield and sword as our mascot. After a five-month long process in which the College solicited mascot ideas from students, employees, alumni, donors, and community members, more than 300 mascot ideas were submitted by more than 1,700 people.
The ride begins at Pier 21 in historic downtown Galveston, where visitors board the Magic Carpet. As the ride ascends, passengers can marvel at the picturesque coastline, the crystal-clear waters, and the golden sandy beaches. The Gulf of Mexico stretches out as far as the eye can see, and the view is truly awe-inspiring.
A Return to Our Roots
Determined, fierce, kind, hardworking, intelligent, inclusive—These are just a few of the words Wooster students use to describe what it means to be Fighting Scots.
In a world where opportunity is not distributed equally, creating a diverse, equitable, welcoming, and inclusive campus community must be a top priority. We are not able to achieve this priority without also examining the most visible symbols we use as a campus to reflect our values, character, and culture. This includes our school mascot.
Because no single human can attempt to represent all the diverse identities of our thriving Wooster community, The College of Wooster on March 30, 2023, introduced an updated mascot that reflects the inclusive community we aim to create while also paying homage to our storied history and heritage.
The Scottie dog has served as a source of pride for generations of Fighting Scots beginning with our earliest days of existence and will be sure to do the same for generations to come.
The updated mascot reflects the collaborative efforts of students, staff and alumni, who generated ideas, gave of their time to help with the research efforts, design, launch events, and provided input along the way.
New Scottie dog costumes arrive on campus this summer in time to recruit and train a new roster of student mascot performers who will work to entertain crowds at home games, admissions and alumni events, and engagements across the local community. The costumes will include MacLeod plaid kerchiefs and matching kilts, along with a black belt and sporran, which is a traditional part of the Pipe Band’s uniform.
Wooster Community Members Name Mascot
Frequently Asked Questions
Mascot
Are we still the Fighting Scots?
Yes! We are the Fighting Scots. Rather than representing the Fighting Scots with the Scottish Highlander, we will now use a Scottish Terrier, otherwise known as a Scottie dog.
What was wrong with the old mascot?
As we examine Wooster’s history, the Scottie dog was the first mascot at Wooster and has never really gone away even with the introduction of the Scottish Highlander fighter in the late 60s, early 70s. Up through today, the Scottie is widely accepted as one of Wooster’s mascots.
More importantly, however, no human mascot can represent all the diverse identities of our campus community and many human mascots raise serious concerns about racism, xenophobia, and are otherwise problematic. The introduction in recent years of the Washington Commanders and Cleveland Guardians are two examples of professional sports teams who recognized the harm caused by human mascots. There are many more examples at the collegiate level, including Kenyon College, who changed from Lords and Ladies to Owls, and Capital University, who changed from Crusaders to Comets.
A symbol of European imperial expansion, the Scottish Highlander fighter no longer represents the current and future Wooster.
Results from a survey of students showed a majority of student respondents did not relate to the Scottish Highlander mascot. The reasons they provided included: “he looks white,” “he looks like a man,” “doesn’t represent the values of the college,” “needs to be more inclusive,” “represents violence,” “represents colonialism,” and “needs to be more inclusive.”
According to student respondents, Wooster Fighting Scots must represent community, be determined, hardworking, strong, kind, smart, resilient, intelligent, passionate, perseverant, and inclusive.
What are the plans to introduce the new mascot logo throughout campus?
The new Scottie dog logo made its debut on campus on Thursday, March 30, 2023, during a pep rally in Timken Gymnasium. This summer it will be added to wind screens on our new tennis courts on Wayne Avenue and to the gymnasiums. We will begin to form a planning committee soon who will identify opportunities to introduce the new Scottie dog logo throughout Scot Center. Please visit Mayer Bookstore online or in the lower level of Lowry Center to grab some Scottie dog merchandise.
What will the College do with the old Scottish Highlander installations?
The College will be working throughout the next year to replace old logos with the new logo. In so doing, we will make every effort to save historical pieces for the archives.
What was the process that resulted in the new mascot?
Numerous informal discussions have been held over the years about the mascot. We even held a First-Year Seminar class in Fall 2019 on the Fighting Scots as a historical concept and asked students to think critically about what it meant to have the Highlander with shield and sword as our mascot.
In 2021, we introduced new institutional and athletic logos that removed the Highlander from the W and replaced it with a custom W that was designed to pull from the deconstructed pattern of the MacLeod plaid. A special working group of staff in athletics and marketing was meeting to consider options for moving beyond the Highlander that was introduced to campus in the spring of 1973. The group’s work centered on addressing concerns raised by students and others about the lack of inclusivity of the Highlander, while creating a mascot that stayed true to the Wooster brand and the College’s history.
Research was conducted to learn more about the history of mascots and nicknames at the College, and students were surveyed about their thoughts regarding the mascot and the qualities and characteristics that come to mind when they think of Wooster Fighting Scots.
Historically, we’ve had few mascots but many nicknames. As we paged through old athletic programs and the archives, a few things were abundantly clear: Our unwavering affinity for the black & gold, loud MacLeod plaid, and Scottish Terriers.
We came across a lot of Scottish terriers during our review—real-life dogs posing for yearbook photos and wearing MacLeod sweaters, larger than life dogs on Homecoming floats and on the lawns of residence halls, dog illustrations that were on the front pages of athletic programs in the early 80s (a decade after the introduction of the warrior mascot), and dog mascot costumes that are worn during home contests up through today. It wasn’t until 2013-14, that we see broader adoption of the Highlander in College branding and throughout the Scot Center.
Results from our survey showed a majority of student respondents did not relate to the Highlander mascot. The reasons they provided include: “he looks white,” “he looks like a man,” “doesn’t represent the values of the college,” “needs to be more inclusive,” “represents violence,” “represents colonialism,” and “needs to be more inclusive.”
According to student respondents, Wooster Fighting Scots must represent community, be determined, hardworking, strong, kind, smart, resilient, intelligent, passionate, perseverant, and inclusive.
In a world where opportunity is not distributed equally, creating a diverse, equitable, welcoming, and inclusive campus community must be a top priority. We are not able to achieve this priority without also examining the most visible symbols we use as a campus to reflect our values, character, and culture. This includes our school mascot.
The Magic Carpet Galveston offers a unique perspective on the beauty of Galveston Island. From up above, visitors can appreciate the island's diverse ecosystem, including the vibrant marshlands, the lush vegetation, and the diverse wildlife that inhabits the area. It is a truly immersive experience that allows visitors to connect with the natural beauty of their surroundings. In addition to the breathtaking views, the Magic Carpet Galveston also provides visitors with a range of interactive exhibits and informative displays. These exhibits offer insights into the history, culture, and natural environment of Galveston Island. Visitors can learn about the island's rich maritime heritage, its unique geology, and the efforts being made to conserve and protect its natural resources. Whether you are a thrill-seeker looking for an adrenaline-pumping adventure or a nature lover eager to immerse yourself in the beauty of Galveston Island, the Magic Carpet Galveston is not to be missed. This magical attraction offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will leave you with memories to cherish for years to come. So, come and embark on a journey like no other, and prepare to be amazed by the wonders of the Magic Carpet Galveston..
Reviews for "Discover the Magic of Galveston's Historic Carpet Ride"
1. Julie - 1/5 stars - "I was really disappointed with my experience at Magic Carpet Galveston. The food was subpar and the service was incredibly slow. We waited for over an hour for our food to arrive, and when it did, it was cold and unappetizing. The restaurant was also very cramped and noisy, making it difficult to have a conversation. I would not recommend this place to anyone looking for a pleasant dining experience."
2. Mark - 2/5 stars - "I had high expectations for Magic Carpet Galveston, but unfortunately, it fell short. The ambiance was just average, and the menu options were limited. The food itself was decent, but nothing special. The prices were also quite high for what you got. Overall, I was underwhelmed by my visit to this restaurant and wouldn't choose to go back."
3. Jessica - 2/5 stars - "I had heard good things about Magic Carpet Galveston, so I decided to give it a try. However, I was disappointed with both the food and the service. The dishes were bland and lacked flavor, and it seemed like they were just trying to push out as many customers as possible. The waitstaff was inattentive and seemed disinterested in providing good customer service. I won't be returning to this restaurant in the future."
4. Michael - 1/5 stars - "I had a terrible experience at Magic Carpet Galveston. The restaurant was extremely crowded and noisy, and the wait for a table was more than an hour. Once seated, the service was slow and the waitstaff seemed overwhelmed. The food was mediocre at best, and I was not impressed with the overall dining experience. I would not recommend this place to anyone looking for a relaxing and enjoyable meal."