More than 4,000 students, employees, alumni, and community members cast a vote online in late March and early April. River Bats scored 37 percent of the votes cast. Here is the vote breakdown for the mascot finalists:
- River Bats: 1,554 votes (37 percent)
- Bbhoggawacts (acronym for counties ACC serves): 1,162 votes (28 percent)
- Starblazers: 1,078 votes (26 percent)
- Blazers: 402 votes (10 percent)
ACC and the Student Government Association hosted announcement parties at each of the college’s seven campuses.
“We are thrilled to have a symbol that unites all the ACC campuses and the entire region the college serves,” says Cheryl Richard, director of Student Life. “Having a mascot is very important. It is a tool that will make students feel more connected to their school, and we know that sense of engagement helps them succeed.”
This summer, the college will get community input on the design of the mascot, with the big reveal scheduled for fall 2010.
ACC received hundreds of mascot suggestions last fall, and a rigorous research/focus group process followed. The mascot search committee narrowed it down to the final four.
Background information:
In fall 2009, ACC formed a mascot search committee to find the perfect symbol to represent the college. The committee is comprised of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. The committee developed a four-step process and criteria for choosing the college’s new mascot in a way that engages the community and is considerate of college history as well as current practices, policies, and procedures.
Four-step search process:
- Idea Submission (October-November): encouraging the entire community to submit ideas.
- Research (January-March): the process of research, elimination, and focus groups.
- Vote (March 22-April 2): the community voted on the final four mascot candidates. The winning nomination was presented to the administration for final approval. ACC announced its new mascot April 28.
- Reveal (fall 2010): The mascot image will be introduced to the public.
Criteria for selecting the mascot:
- Eliminate mascots already in use by high schools in ACC’s eight-county service area, local universities and colleges, and regional pro-sports teams, unless there is a unique tie to ACC.
Focus groups told us the finalists should:
- Represent the entire Austin Community College District and the Central Texas region
- Be unique to ACC
- Reflect the essence of ACC
By Mychal Guzman April 28, 2010 - 8:08 pm
YES! So happy I’m not a Bgghoaaowhawhatever.
By Milton Gatewood April 29, 2010 - 8:25 am
Excellent choice. Next will be the logo/banner, and finally you need to work on a cheer that ACC’s can greet one another with.
By Diego Cruz April 29, 2010 - 11:01 pm
Fantastic! Great job! I’m a proud ACC River Bat! When can I get my official, “I’m a proud River Bat!” bumper sticker?! Ha!
By Marissa Capuchino April 30, 2010 - 1:16 pm
Haha, that’s great! I’m glad that the river bat will be named Bhoggawact, too. Can’t wait to see the final design!
By Erika April 30, 2010 - 2:13 pm
When will an image of the mascot be ready?
By ACC Staff April 30, 2010 - 5:17 pm
Dear Erika, this summer the college will get community input on the design. The reveal is set to happen this fall. Stay tuned!
By Kenny King May 1, 2010 - 8:31 pm
Does this mean were working on having sports games and more clubs all around the ACC district?
By Paul Juarez May 2, 2010 - 2:39 am
River bat is the coolest mascot ever! I can’t wait to tell my mom about it! She loves bats.
By Jorge M May 2, 2010 - 2:42 pm
Excellent choice!
I am proud to say that I’m an ACC river bat student.
I hope, they give away free river bat T-Shirts!
By Avy Gonzalez May 3, 2010 - 12:14 pm
I am so happy to read all the proud and warm feelings about having the River Bats as our Mascot. The work we put into this project this past year was well worth it. Say it loud and say it proud, “I’m a River Bat!” … Can’t wait until the fall for the design and logo! Thanks ACC for allowing me to be part of this great project!
By Amy Dunn May 4, 2010 - 10:00 am
unfortunately I don’t like the RIVER BAT chose. ACC was better off without an mascot because its a community college and it doesn’t have to be the same as others why cant we be different. If anything why not the star because we focus on success. sorry but this is freedom of speech.
By Britt May 4, 2010 - 7:51 pm
I actually like the mascot choice. It’s different and unique. Also, Austin and the greater Austin Community has like what? Thousands of bats living under our bridges? I think it fitting and appropriate for Austin Community College 🙂 I don’t know, that’s my opinion.
By Katherine Staples May 6, 2010 - 12:27 pm
Hooray for the River Bats! Since Austin is home not only to our own maternal summer swarm under the Congress Avenue Bridge but also to the world’s leading bat research organization, Bat Conservation International, we have lots to celebrate!
By Gary Webernick May 15, 2010 - 12:01 pm
Just a thought, but doesn’t it seem fitting to have a competition for the logo/mascot design. Perhaps offer a cash or scholarship prize. We have many
students in Fine Arts and Visual Communications that are qualified for this type of design competition. I remember that when the ACC logo was selected, it came from a design firm outside the college. This is a waste of our own talent!
Thanks,
Gary Webernick
Chair, Department of Art
Austin Community College
By Susan May 20, 2010 - 10:15 am
I do like the new mascot – I am just wondering why the Chupacabra wasn’t in the running. I think that would have been pretty cool too. 🙂 (That was suggested by one of my Spanish teachers ages ago)