9.17.2011
FARMVILLE, Va. – It's Elwood! That's the name of the new Longwood University Athletics Mascot, as announced by Longwood Director of Athletics
Troy Austin Friday night, September 16, at the school's annual Rock The Block festivities at the Longwood Landings at Midtown Square.
Elwood garnered 1,215 votes out of 2,180 total votes received during the voting process that took place online between Sept. 6-11 among Longwood students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members.
“
Elwood received a great reception from Longwood and the Farmville community members in attendance at Rock the Block,” said Austin. “We look forward to getting
Elwood involved with both groups of people to enhance Lancer spirit in Prince Edward county and beyond.”
Longwood first introduced
Elwood at both a pregame pep rally and again at halftime of The GAME 2.0, the school's season-opening home intercollegiate athletics contest August 21 featuring the women's soccer 2-0 victory past visiting Howard University. A well-received strong, muscular-appearing 'Horse' character was presented that plays on the Lancer Logo while connecting to a part of the school's culture and history as well. The GAME 2.0 (Greatest Athletics March Ever) was played before a record-crowd of 1,839.
A Longwood Spirit Initiatives Committee was formed last March with a presidential charge to establish a new mascot and school fight song. Longwood President Patrick Finnegan had asked Austin to chair a committee of faculty, staff, students, and alumni to work on finding a new mascot and creating a school fight song. The committee released two sketches on May 1 that were voted on May 2-9 with over 4,300 votes received. The mascot is a costumed individual celebrating Longwood school spirit. There is no intention to change the school's athletics nickname and/or logo. Over 150 unique name submissions were received before the committee selected three for the vote – Luey and Luquus were the other finalists. The new fight song will be introduced later during this fall semester.
