Elmo the Eagle takes flight with a fresh look
By Mya Mikesell
Chadron State College has introduced a new mascot costume for Elmo the Eagle, aiming to boost school spirit and community involvement with a friendlier and more modern design.
The previous eagle costume had been in use for more than a decade and the decision to replace it came after a long design process that included selecting colors, fabrics and comfort features to better represent the college.
“Our current mascot has been in use for several years now and is definitely starting to show its age,” The Head Spirit coach, Syndey Gwerder, said. “We were looking to get something a bit more custom to really represent the college more specifically and to also just improve the overall image.”
The new design features CSC’s official cardinal red, separate pieces for easier movement, and a unique belted tail. Gwerder said the updates will make the mascot more approachable for young fans while improving visibility and comfort for the students who wear it.
For the student performer inside the suit, the upgrade is just as exciting. The student, whose identity has been withheld, said the old and new costumes are very different in a good way. Though there are still some challenges like the heat and keeping the helmet on, but the student claims that the opportunity to embody Elmo makes it worthwhile.
“With the old costume, it was super baggy, and the helmet was just not it,” the student said. “But with the new costume, it doesn’t even really feel like you’re in costume. It just feels like you’re wearing a pair of clothes.”
“My favorite part about being the mascot would definitely be being able to entertain and to go out there and make people smile, even if we’re losing terribly,” the student said. “Being able to really express myself like that is a lot better.”
“We plan to use Elmo a lot more than we have in the past,” Gwerder said. “He’ll be appearing at volleyball games, football games, basketball games, a few community events like Harvest Moon Festival, and also more on campus events like the Eagle Experience Days, Scholastic Day and commencement.”
With a fresh look and new energy, Elmo the Eagle is set to be a bigger presence both on campus and in the community, carrying on the tradition of school spirit in a bold new way.