RELEASE: Immediate

DATE: September 27, 2012

SGC, WC Solicit New Mascot, School Colors Feedback for Consolidated Institution

As the consolidation process for South Georgia College and Waycross College continues to its anticipated January completion, one of the next key decisions to be made is the mascot and colors to be used for athletics.

“Athletics plays a key role in the life of a college, and it is my desire for our consolidated institution to enhance its focus on athletics and ensure we provide student athletes the best opportunities to compete as well as increase overall student and community engagement and excitement,” comments Dr. Virginia Carson, president of South Georgia College, who will also serve as president of the new institution.

Students, faculty, staff, and alumni from both institutions, as well as members of the Douglas and Waycross communities, are encouraged to participate by submitting up to three suggestions for potential mascots and corresponding color combinations through an online survey. The survey will launch October 1 on the Web sites for both South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) and Waycross College (www.waycross.edu). The deadline for submissions is October 15.

Any mascot used by another University System of Georgia institution or the Coffee and Ware County school systems will not be considered. All suggestions will be reviewed by a branding committee comprised of representatives from both institutions. The committee will work with a marketing firm to ensure any competitive or regulatory principles and guidelines are known. The committee will produce a short list of finalists to be further discussed with the transition working group.

“In analyzing the input from the survey, we will look at a variety of matters, but we must also consider the fiscal implications and other factors to make the best overall choice,” adds Dr. Carson.

A final decision is anticipated by December 1, 2012. Per guidelines from the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), all athletic teams will continue under their current institution and will use their current mascot through June 2013.

Currently, both South Georgia College and Waycross College compete in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association’s (GCAA) Region XVII of the NJCAA. SGC’s colors are navy and gold, and its teams are known as the Tigers. For most of the institution’s 106-year history, SGC’s mascot has been a tiger. During the late 1950’s, the original purple and gold color scheme was changed to the current navy and gold. SGC’s athletic heritage includes state championships in golf, baseball, men’s soccer, softball, basketball and football, as well as fielding teams in track/field and tennis. In 2011, baseball, men’s and women’s cross country, and men’s and women’s swimming competed in their respective national tournaments. Today, South Georgia College’s athletic department is comprised of the following sports: baseball, softball, men’s golf, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s cross country.

Following a 16-year hiatus, Waycross College re-launched its athletic program in 2009. Known as the Swamp Foxes with maroon and gray colors, Waycross College has enjoyed a great deal of success in this latest chapter of its athletic history. Basketball was the first sport to play a conference schedule when athletics resumed on the Waycross College campus. Led by head coach Cory Baldwin, the Swamp Foxes captured the 2011 GCAA Conference Tournament Championship in their first official year of eligibility and secured a spot in the NJCAA Tournament. Swamp Fox softball was launched in 2010. Led by head coach Bryan Hartley, the Swamp Foxes made back-to-back appearances in the GCAA Conference Tournament in 2011 and 2012. WC and SGC consolidated softball teams in June with Hartley serving as interim head coach.

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About South Georgia College

South Georgia College (www.sgc.edu) was founded in 1906 and is located in Douglas, Ga. The college's environment gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty. With over 20 majors and transfer opportunities, South Georgia College provides the finest education possible to the citizens of its service area.