“This is a historic and exciting moment for Catawba College and our community,” stated Michelle Caddigan, Catawba’s Vice President of Athletics. “The unveiling of our new sideline mascot marks the beginning of a new chapter - one that brings unity, pride, and renewed energy to all who love this place and call it home. I am grateful to the committee for their thoughtful work and to everyone who shared their voices throughout this process. This sideline mascot isn’t just a symbol; it reflects our story and our spirit. Together, we’ll carry that story forward and ignite our community in bold, new ways.”
The sideline mascot will not change the Catawba Indian nickname employed by the athletic department for each of its 24 intercollegiate sports. Other examples of college athletic departments that employ a college mascot that differs from the program’s nickname include North Carolina-Chapel Hill (Ramses, a ram), Tennessee (Smoky, a dog), and Stanford (Stanford Tree).
Originally, the mascot search began in the spring of 2020 but was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A new steering committee was formed in the summer of 2023 to design a mascot that would honor the College’s tradition as well as the Catawba Nation, be embraced warmly by alumni, students, and friends of the College, and be marketable and relatable to the greater College and Salisbury communities. In partnership with Summit Athletics, Blue was born and endorsed by the College Board of Trustees in October 2024. The committee also collaborated with Street Characters, a world-renowned mascot solutions company in Canada, to manufacture the mascot costume. A roster of students will serve as mascot performers and handlers who will entertain crowds at home athletic games, events, and engagements.
The Blue namesake honors Gilbert Blue, U.S. Navy veteran and chief of the Catawba Indian Nation from 1973 to 2007. A strong supporter of Catawba College, Blue led the movement for the Catawba Nation to receive federal recognition and backed Catawba College’s use of the Catawba Indian nickname. Chief Blue’s legacy of strength, wisdom, and advocacy continues to inspire Catawba today.
”The introduction of Blue is such an exciting moment for our campus community,” said Jodi Bailey, Director of Marketing and Communications at Catawba. “Blue embodies the pride, passion, and energy of our students, alumni, and fans. We can’t wait to see the joy and pride Blue brings to Catawba game days and events. This would not be possible without the strategic process and careful oversight of our committee and the insights shared by all of our key audiences.”
In addition to the sideline mascot, Catawba College announced a brand extension that includes secondary logos that incorporate Blue. These include a stylized cat head and an interlocking design with the College’s traditional Block C. The secondary logos will appear on fan merchandise, facilities, and other marketing materials, while the tri-color Block C logo will remain the official primary mark of the Catawba College Athletic Department and teams.
Blue will immediately roam the sidelines at Catawba College events this fall.
