{"id":839,"date":"2025-01-16T18:38:11","date_gmt":"2025-01-16T18:38:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/150\/?page_id=839"},"modified":"2025-01-21T16:22:03","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T16:22:03","slug":"new-mascot-and-athletics-visual-identity","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/150\/new-mascot-and-athletics-visual-identity\/","title":{"rendered":"New Mascot and Athletics Visual Identity"},"content":{"rendered":"

Macalester\u2019s New Mascot is Coo, the Highland Cow<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Macalester is pleased to welcome Coo as our newest Scot and official mascot.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Throughout Macalester\u2019s history, various mascots have come and gone. Pigs, ducks, and people have all represented the Scots. But, none of those \u201cmascots\u201d were created with a guiding set of principles and none were created with full community engagement. Macalester’s 150th anniversary in 2024 felt like a perfect time to create a visual symbol of the Macalester spirit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Highland Cow, aka Heilan Coo, was selected with input from thousands of Macalester alumni, students, faculty and staff. Close to 7,500 people weighed in with their preferences throughout the spring semester of our sesquicentennial year. The feedback was then reviewed by the Mascot Selection Committee, composed of faculty, staff, students, and alumni. The committee deliberated over the results of the final feedback round, and ultimately decided the Highland Cow would become the mascot.<\/p>\n\n\n

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During the initial submission process, when community members were asked to suggest ideas, the Highland Cow received the most mentions. \u201cHardy,\u201d \u201cScottish\u201d and \u201chorns\u201d were words that came up often, alluding to the competitive nature of our Scots. Many noted that Highland Cattle are both imposing as well as \u201csteadfast\u201d and loyal to their herd. The cattle also can be found all over the world, much like our alumni.<\/p>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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The Highland Cow costume was introduced at MacFest 2024. \u201cMac the Scot,\u201d our previous mascot, retired to Scotland in August 2024, where he watched Macalester\u2019s Pipe Band perform in the World Championships in Glasgow.<\/p>\n\t\t\t \t\t\t \t\t\t<\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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Athletics Identity<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t

The selection of a new mascot was part of a complete overhaul of the athletics brand. Learn more about our athletics identity and view our new athletic marks on our visual identity guidelines page.\r\n

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