CVCC and TCC logos on a background showing college mascots

College Mascots

A drawing of a panther head

CVCC: Old mascot

A drawing of a gray man with blue hair and a blue cape holding a lightning bolt.

TCC: Old mascot

THE OVERVIEW: Mascots are not just people in funny costumes dancing at sporting events. They’re powerful marketing tools. We understand that and creating or reinventing them is one of our specialties. Done right, a school mascot brands a school, gives it character and an identity, and becomes a source of pride. Bonus points if it looks kickass on a cap or sweatshirt too.

A drawing of the new CVCC mascot holding the word Ridgecats in its mouth.

CVCC: New mascot

THE CHALLENGE: At Central Virginia Community College, the longtime mascot was a cougar. But with changing societal norms and age sensitivity, the word “cougar,” has taken on an, er, different meaning. CVCC liked the idea of a cat but not one with so much baggage. We explored several felines and various levels of intimidation, looking for a design that would, in the client’s words, “impress you but not want to eat you.”

For Tidewater Community College, the name “Storm” still made sense for a school near the Chesapeake Bay, but the execution cried out for a professional reinterpretation. And the turnaround was tight. The solution was an all-day collaborative session with the key TCC leaders, sharing ideas and early designs, which accelerated everyone’s buy-in.

But more than design, it’s our due diligence that’s key.

A college mascot is intellectual property, and no job is more important that protecting our clients from trademark infringement or costly litigation. We’ll work with you to properly register your new college symbol with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, making it uniquely yours.

TCC Stormbird mascot

TCC: New mascot

THE RESULTS: For CVCC, the perfect cat turned out to be a fictional one. We invented the name, “Ridgecats,” a nod to the college’s location next to the mountains. It was not only a unique mascot – there are no other Ridgecats roaming college campuses – it was welcomed as a more modern and relevant symbol. It exuded toughness and a fiery spirit, reminiscent of the CVCC family.

And that new Ridgecat apparel? More than 85% of those surveyed said they would wear it proudly.

For TCC, the Storm became a StormBird. No longer a wimp, this mascot was a warrior.

In a survey of students, faculty, and alumni, 72% LIKED or LIKED VERY MUCH the look and appropriateness of the StormBird, seeing it as the perfect embodiment of grit and determination.

A TCC Storm basketball jersey with a basketball lying on top of it.

“Working with Access is an exceptional experience. Their team is comprised of friendly and accessible professionals who guided us through the creative process every step of the way.”

Jodi Gillette

Central Virginia Community College

These mascots and more are just another example of how Accessu goes beyond the ordinary to create marketing that soars and roars. Literally.