Longwood University Athletics

Elwood has served as the official mascot for Longwood University since 2011-12. 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, 2011 featuring the women's soccer 2-0 victory past visiting Howard University.  The well-received strong, muscular-appearing 'Horse' character 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 in March 2011 with a presidential charge to establish a new mascot and school fight song.  Former Longwood President Patrick Finnegan had asked Director of Athletics Troy 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, 2011 that were voted on May 2-9, 2011 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.

Elwood's name was announced September 16, 2011 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, 2011 among Longwood students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members. Over 150 unique name submissions were received before the committee selected three for the vote – Luey and Luquus were the other finalists. 

Elwood is available for special appearances.  Please email or phone for further details.