The unanimous mascot of 2017 was an interesting and somewhat unexpected choice. The decision came as a surprise to many, but it was met with enthusiasm and excitement from fans and supporters alike. The mascot, named "Sparky," was a playful and energetic character that quickly captured the hearts of both young and old. With his bright colors and mischievous smile, Sparky quickly became a symbol of unity and spirit for the entire community. What made Sparky unique was his ability to bring people together. Regardless of age, race, or background, everyone seemed to be drawn to Sparky's infectious personality.
Regardless of age, race, or background, everyone seemed to be drawn to Sparky's infectious personality. Whether it was cheering on the team at a game or participating in community events, Sparky was always at the forefront, spreading joy and cheer to all who crossed his path. In addition to his role as a symbol of unity, Sparky also served as an ambassador for various local causes.
University Mascot
Nighthawks are smart, strong birds whose power comes through unity, determination and an eagerness to embrace the next challenge. Like native nighthawks who are indigenous to the region, NNU Nighthawks soar above the competition as they focus on an elevated purpose. This bird, as a symbol of NNU, adheres to the University’s strong ties to its location and the culture of the Northwest. Nighthawks are small, quick, stealthy and embody the power of character, a strong will and an aptitude for achieving success despite their size. Just as in nature, NNU Nighthawks find success through collaboration as they work together toward a common goal—regardless of the context in which they find themselves.
The Birth of a Mascot
In 1933-34, Northwest Nazarene College’s intercollegiate athletics came onto the scene with the formation of a basketball team initially known as the “preachers” because so many of the young men were preparing to become ministers; shortly after, “Crusaders” was adopted as the official mascot of NNC.
The NNC Crusaders Take Form
In the 1980s, a knight costume was purchased and students were recruited to dress up as “Clyde the Crusader” at home athletic events.
ImageA Changing Vision for a New Mascot Emerges
As we entered a new century, in response to changing cultural associations with the term “Crusader,” President Richard Hagood formed a committee to discuss the idea of changing the NNU mascot; after receiving strong feedback from alumni, it was decided the issue was too divisive and the idea was tabled.
In response to a growing diversity of opinion regarding “Crusaders,” the Board of Trustees again reconsidered the need for a mascot change. The board acknowledged that a crusader was historically understood as one who is committed to a worthy cause. It had served our institution well for many years, but they also recognized that in the global climate of the day, the potential existed for the term “Crusaders” to be associated with violence and destruction. Ultimately, as a compromise between strongly held beliefs on both sides of the issue, the University decided to retain the nickname of “Crusaders” but stopped using the image of a crusader as its mascot and began the process of deemphasizing the term within the athletic department and around campus.
In 2016, as concern continued to grow about the cultural meaning-change associated with “Crusaders,” the board appointed a task force composed of NNU trustees, alumni, students, representatives of NNU athletics and faculty members. This task force revisited the possibility of changing the NNU mascot to something that would serve as a name and image around which students and alumni could rally, and would reduce the potential for misunderstanding and potentially impeding the University’s ability to minister to an increasingly interconnected global community.
The Nighthawks Take Flight
During the Fall 2017 Board of Trustees meeting, after extensive research, there was a unanimous vote to change the University's nickname and mascot to "Nighthawks." NNU students were welcomed back to campus after Christmas break 2018 with the unveiling of the new Nighthawks mascot which we still proudly celebrate to date.
"They should just replace it because re-branding it is just throwing it under the rug and keeping it is just promoting racism overall," student Robel Gindaba said.
From promoting education and literacy to raising awareness about important social issues, Sparky used his platform to make a positive impact on the community. Throughout the year, Sparky's presence was felt in a variety of settings. From school assemblies to charity walks, Sparky never failed to bring a smile to people's faces and remind them of the importance of coming together as a community. Looking back, it's clear that Sparky's reign as the unanimous mascot was a well-deserved one. His ability to bring people together and his dedication to making a difference in the community made him a true symbol of unity and spirit in 2017..
Reviews for "The Unanimous Mascot 2017: Bringing Together Different Communities"
1. Alex - Rating: 2/5
I was disappointed with "Unanimous mascot 2017". The storyline was weak and lacked depth. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The graphics were underwhelming and didn't meet my expectations. Overall, I found the game to be mediocre and not worth the hype.
2. Sarah - Rating: 3/5
I had high hopes for "Unanimous mascot 2017", but it fell short for me. The gameplay was repetitive and didn't offer much variety. The controls were clunky and frustrating at times. Additionally, the game had several glitches that interrupted my experience. While the concept was interesting, the execution was lacking, making it an average game at best.
3. Mike - Rating: 2/5
I couldn't get into "Unanimous mascot 2017". The gameplay felt monotonous and didn't provide any excitement or challenges. The graphics were outdated, and it felt like I was playing a game from a decade ago. The story wasn't compelling, and the dialogue was cheesy. I was left feeling bored and unimpressed with this game.
4. Emily - Rating: 2/5
"Unanimous mascot 2017" didn't live up to my expectations. The controls were confusing and took away from the overall experience. The gameplay was repetitive, and I quickly lost interest. The graphics were lackluster and didn't create an immersive environment. Overall, I found this game to be a letdown and wouldn't recommend it to others.