Biola’s current Eagle mascot suit will be retired at the beginning of November, and a new custom suit will replace it.
The old suit has seen better days, according to Brianna Stewart, Spirit Board chair. Although the current suit was purchased four years ago, the old suit, as Stewart said, is cheap and was not expected to last long. Jeff Hoffman, sports information director, said the design and make of the current suit is generally not expected to last more than a single sporting season.
“Suits like that are not meant to last very long,” Stewart agreed.
With a collaboration of the athletics department, AS, and Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Biola purchased a custom-made mascot suit for $4,000 to replace the current suit that is quickly deteriorating.
The current suit is no longer in the proper condition to continue to be used as often as needed. The fan within the suit designed to keep its occupants cool while they entertain the crowd is no longer working, the colors of the suit itself are dingy, and it has an incurable stench, according to Stewart.
“I feel like its important to get a new mascot suit because the one we have is not up to par,” Stewart said.
Biola hopes to reach out more toward the community – one way to do that is have a presentable mascot.
Hoffman said the decision was made to purchase a more expensive suit so that it would last longer. Both Hoffman and Stewart expressed their disapproval of the current suit’s generic style. The new suit will be unique to Biola.
The new suit was custom designed based off the Eagle created for the sports department by Ben Orr, a Biola alum. It will be a buffed up, fighting Eagle, complete with a sports jersey and muscle suit.
The suit will be made of a special plastic material instead of fabric, making the care and cleaning of it much easier than the current one. The new suit will be kept in a clear case in the athletics department to ensure that it is kept in a good condition.
According to Hoffman, the suit could last five to fifteen years if it is properly cared for, making the $4,000 justifiable to those who contributed to the purchase.
The Athletics department contributed about 60 percent to the price of the suit. AS recognized the need for a new mascot suit and noted purchasing one could benefit Biola not only this year, but also in the years to come and gave about 25 percent and . IMC gave about 10 percent.
Biola will not only have a new suit to enhance its image, but also a qualified mascot to wear it. Michael More, a highly qualified mascot, contacted Stewart last year with hopes of becoming Biola’s mascot. He has won awards, been through camps and is considered to be close to professional, according to Hoffman.
The sports department is also looking to name the new eagle, and will be soliciting names for students to vote on soon.
The named eagle will be unveiled at Midnight Madness Nov. 8.
“I’m really excited to have something more professional,” Hoffman said. “It takes us out of the quasi-high school look and brings us into more of a prototypical college atmosphere.”
