Say “hello” to the Valor Gospel.
Evangel University announced its new mascot, Valor, on Wednesday. The logo is represented by a horse which, according to the school, “symbolizes the character and strength of Evangel”.
“The process of selecting a new mascot that best represents our university has been thorough and thoughtful,†said Dr. Michael Kolstad, vice president for academic advancement, in a press release. “Valor was one of the list of mascot names submitted, and he consistently rose to the top of our focus groups and mascot selection committee. “
Valor will replace the “Crusader” mascot that the university announced it was dropping in March. The Crusader mascot was chosen in the 1950s, shortly after the founding of Evangel University. At that time, the term was considered to be a term related to the concepts of bravery, loyalty and courage.
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But in recent years, “Crusader” has become more viewed in the context of the bitter war that took place from the 11th to the 13th centuries between the Christian powers in Europe and the Muslim powers in the Middle East. “Crusader” has also been described as promoting “aggressive religious oppression and violence” and has been associated with hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan.
Evangel dropped out of Crusaders shortly after Valparaiso, a private university in northwest Indiana, followed suit. Valparaiso has since adopted the nickname “Beacons” to connect with the school motto “In Thy Light We See Light”.
Evangel’s mascot selection process followed his decision to make a change. The university said it has received feedback from more than 800 alumni, current students, faculty and staff and garnered a total of 700 mascot submissions.
The school said the evolution from a crusader on horseback to a simple horse itself was intentional. “The horse is a vehicle used to share a message, just as God inspires Evangelical students to share the good news of Christ,†the school said in a statement.
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The Valor logo was designed by Hampton Creative, an independent branding agency based in Tulsa. Each element of the logo works cohesively to tell a story.
- Ears: Valor’s ears are advanced and alert to signal fixed attention to his opponent and the task at hand
- Eyes: Valor’s eyes are focused. His knitted forehead communicates fervor and courage as he bravely charges into the fray.
- To manage: Valor’s leading position and determined demeanor reflect a calm confidence and extraordinary strength of mind and spirit.
- Mane: Valor’s fiery mane consists of three main segments representing why he competes – to glorify the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
- Neck: Valor’s muscular neck mirrors the Evangel University logo shield, symbolizing the importance of academic and athletic development.
“By drawing on the best qualities of the university’s past – bravery, loyalty and courage – Evangel has re-established a noble foundation for its future,” the statement said.
Wyatt D. Wheeler is a reporter and columnist for the Springfield News-Leader. You can contact him at 417-371-6987, email [email protected] or Twitter at @WyattWheeler_NL. He is also the co-host of Sports Talk on Jock Radio weekdays from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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