Future Students:
Alumni:
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Roanoke College changing the name of its athletic teams or it’s colors?
A: No, this is the addition of a mascot, not a change. Roanoke will continue to be the Maroons and yes, we’ll keep the colors of Maroon and Gray.
A: No, this is the addition of a mascot, not a change. Roanoke will continue to be the Maroons and yes, we’ll keep the colors of Maroon and Gray.
Q: How did Roanoke become the Maroons?
A: The Maroons were born 100 years ago. In 1907-08, Roanoke’s athletic competition was mostly intramural at the time. The student-run baseball team of 1907 needed new uniforms and couldn’t find any available in the Roanoke’s colors of blue and yellow (yes, Roanoke’s old colors and current academic colors are blue and yellow). But they did find Maroon uniforms. Students thought the Maroon uniforms were funny and the Brackety Ack started to call the team the “Maroon and Grays.” Then a few years later, basketball jumped on the Maroon bandwagon and began to compete as the Maroons in 1910. A few years after that, the college administration officially adopts Maroon and Gray as the college’s athletic colors. Maroon eventually won over the drab Gray and the Maroon moniker has stuck with all Roanoke College teams since!
A: The Maroons were born 100 years ago. In 1907-08, Roanoke’s athletic competition was mostly intramural at the time. The student-run baseball team of 1907 needed new uniforms and couldn’t find any available in the Roanoke’s colors of blue and yellow (yes, Roanoke’s old colors and current academic colors are blue and yellow). But they did find Maroon uniforms. Students thought the Maroon uniforms were funny and the Brackety Ack started to call the team the “Maroon and Grays.” Then a few years later, basketball jumped on the Maroon bandwagon and began to compete as the Maroons in 1910. A few years after that, the college administration officially adopts Maroon and Gray as the college’s athletic colors. Maroon eventually won over the drab Gray and the Maroon moniker has stuck with all Roanoke College teams since!
Q: So we’ve been Maroons for 100 years but never had a mascot?
A: Here are some previous Roanoke Athletic names and mascot attempts that didn’t stand up to the test of time … The Daisies. Isn’t that sweet? Can’t imagine why the men’s lax team isn’t still playing under that identity! A Maroon Tiger. In the 1980s, a mascot effort tried to convince the Roanoke community that a Maroon is a tiger. Biologists proved otherwise and it didn’t catch on. Maroon Express. Back before the now-defunct local hockey team, the Maroon Express was a short-lived description of the Roanoke College teams. Harry Jr. the Dog. He was a real dog in the 1930s and quickly became the campus “mascot.” His fame met an unfortunate end with a car on High Street. RIP Harry. Tuscaroras and the Pelhams … these names reflected the Native American heritage of the Virginia region. Mountaineer. Well, that’s got the Virginia piece but WVU has already claimed that fame. The Alert. They must have passed out No-Doz pills at the games. The Lutherans. This was a logical name for the only Lutheran college in Virginia. Kasagas …. Huh?
A: Here are some previous Roanoke Athletic names and mascot attempts that didn’t stand up to the test of time … The Daisies. Isn’t that sweet? Can’t imagine why the men’s lax team isn’t still playing under that identity! A Maroon Tiger. In the 1980s, a mascot effort tried to convince the Roanoke community that a Maroon is a tiger. Biologists proved otherwise and it didn’t catch on. Maroon Express. Back before the now-defunct local hockey team, the Maroon Express was a short-lived description of the Roanoke College teams. Harry Jr. the Dog. He was a real dog in the 1930s and quickly became the campus “mascot.” His fame met an unfortunate end with a car on High Street. RIP Harry. Tuscaroras and the Pelhams … these names reflected the Native American heritage of the Virginia region. Mountaineer. Well, that’s got the Virginia piece but WVU has already claimed that fame. The Alert. They must have passed out No-Doz pills at the games. The Lutherans. This was a logical name for the only Lutheran college in Virginia. Kasagas …. Huh?
Q: Are there other college or university mascots based on a color?
A: Harvard University is the Crimson and their mascot is the college founder John Harvard.. Syracuse University is the Orange and their mascot is Otto. Dartmouth is the Big Green but despite the sometimes appearance of “Keggy,” they have no official mascot. Alabama is the Crimson Tide and the mascot is an elephant named Big Al. Stanford Athletics are represented by Cardinal (the color not the bird) and they have no official mascot.
A: Harvard University is the Crimson and their mascot is the college founder John Harvard.. Syracuse University is the Orange and their mascot is Otto. Dartmouth is the Big Green but despite the sometimes appearance of “Keggy,” they have no official mascot. Alabama is the Crimson Tide and the mascot is an elephant named Big Al. Stanford Athletics are represented by Cardinal (the color not the bird) and they have no official mascot.
Q: Are there other schools with the name of Maroons? if so, what are their mascots?
A: The University of Chicago Maroons are represented by a Phoenix. The University of Chicago mascot wears a bird-type costume. Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga. calls their athletic teams the Maroon Tigers.
A: The University of Chicago Maroons are represented by a Phoenix. The University of Chicago mascot wears a bird-type costume. Morehouse College in Atlanta, Ga. calls their athletic teams the Maroon Tigers.
Q: When will the Maroon Mascot be chosen?
A: The schedule calls for mascot ideas to be accepted until October 1, 2008. After that time, the Maroon Mascot Team will select the top five choices and will gather feedback from the entire community on those five ideas. One of those ideas will be recommended as the Maroon Mascot.
A: The schedule calls for mascot ideas to be accepted until October 1, 2008. After that time, the Maroon Mascot Team will select the top five choices and will gather feedback from the entire community on those five ideas. One of those ideas will be recommended as the Maroon Mascot.
Q: What is the process for selecting the Maroon Mascot?
A: The Mascot team is responsible for reviewing ideas submitted. Mascot ideas may be submitted by anyone who creates an account at www.ClassicCollege.com. Top five ideas will be posted for feedback from the Maroon community. The Maroon Mascot team will make a mascot recommendation to the president. (That’s the Roanoke College president, not the U.S. President, we feel like he’s got plenty on his plate already.)
A: The Mascot team is responsible for reviewing ideas submitted. Mascot ideas may be submitted by anyone who creates an account at www.ClassicCollege.com. Top five ideas will be posted for feedback from the Maroon community. The Maroon Mascot team will make a mascot recommendation to the president. (That’s the Roanoke College president, not the U.S. President, we feel like he’s got plenty on his plate already.)
Q: Who is eligible to suggest mascot ideas?
A: Pretty much anyone! The contest is open to students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends of Maroons worldwide. Even the Mascot Team, which is charged with overseeing the mascot selection process, are allowed to submit ideas.
A: Pretty much anyone! The contest is open to students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends of Maroons worldwide. Even the Mascot Team, which is charged with overseeing the mascot selection process, are allowed to submit ideas.
Q: Who are the people in those crazy “mascot audition” videos already marked as “Rejected”?
A: The very talented students of Roanoke College helped to make those videos, with the support of the College. Some of the student actors are involved in Roanoke’s theater program, others are just multi-talented. One is even the SGA president. The mascot selection committee is portrayed by real Roanoke faculty and staff: James Pennix, director of admissions; Kim Blair, director of development; Dr. Mark Miller, professor of history; and Roanoke President Mike Maxey. Roanoke staff members Whitney Anderson and Blair Garland play roles in the pieces as well. Whitney is unrecognizable in various costumes. Blair is unmistakable as the victim of the Rassler. He’s the one being spun around in the air! You’re going down son! One of the goals for this process is to have fun and boy, did they! We wanted to get mascot ideas flowing for the contest but the ideas presented in these videos are NOT likely to make it any further in the contest. You can identify these particular videos by the “Rejected” tag on each one. But don’t let the rejection deter you from watching. They are good for a few laughs and definitely worth forwarding to your friends!
The student characters are:
The Roanoke Roleplayer – Andrew Cullen The Rassler – Cory Lawson The Klingon – MD Espinosa Agatha, Princess of the Night – Megan Corsnitz The Roanoke Raider – Joe Bauer The Roanoke Red Onions – Haley Thomsen The Roanoke Rappers – Aaron Riggleman & Jimmy Cunningham Technodude – Alex Munro The Rapscallions – Katie Kernan, Kim Kernan, Haley Vay Poynter, Brittany Harrison The Rationalist – Paul Millard The Love & Peace Person – Betsy Foster The Roanoke Redneck – Trent Thompson
A: The very talented students of Roanoke College helped to make those videos, with the support of the College. Some of the student actors are involved in Roanoke’s theater program, others are just multi-talented. One is even the SGA president. The mascot selection committee is portrayed by real Roanoke faculty and staff: James Pennix, director of admissions; Kim Blair, director of development; Dr. Mark Miller, professor of history; and Roanoke President Mike Maxey. Roanoke staff members Whitney Anderson and Blair Garland play roles in the pieces as well. Whitney is unrecognizable in various costumes. Blair is unmistakable as the victim of the Rassler. He’s the one being spun around in the air! You’re going down son! One of the goals for this process is to have fun and boy, did they! We wanted to get mascot ideas flowing for the contest but the ideas presented in these videos are NOT likely to make it any further in the contest. You can identify these particular videos by the “Rejected” tag on each one. But don’t let the rejection deter you from watching. They are good for a few laughs and definitely worth forwarding to your friends!
The student characters are:
The Roanoke Roleplayer – Andrew Cullen The Rassler – Cory Lawson The Klingon – MD Espinosa Agatha, Princess of the Night – Megan Corsnitz The Roanoke Raider – Joe Bauer The Roanoke Red Onions – Haley Thomsen The Roanoke Rappers – Aaron Riggleman & Jimmy Cunningham Technodude – Alex Munro The Rapscallions – Katie Kernan, Kim Kernan, Haley Vay Poynter, Brittany Harrison The Rationalist – Paul Millard The Love & Peace Person – Betsy Foster The Roanoke Redneck – Trent Thompson
Q: What are the Terms and Conditions of the contest?
A: Click the "Terms of use" link at the bottom of the page for more information.
A: Click the "Terms of use" link at the bottom of the page for more information.
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What makes Roanoke classic?
1. Personal Connections.
2. Learning Firsthand.
3. A Classic Campus Setting.
1. Personal Connections.
2. Learning Firsthand.
3. A Classic Campus Setting.