Community can now cast their votes for the next mascot

There are sharks, pelicans, stingrays and legendary Krakens to choose from as the university’s next mascot. For the landlubbers there are giraffes.

And for those who prefer simplicity, they can vote for The Beach to represent Long Beach State in the next round of mascot voting. Starting Monday, April 15, the community (non-students) can vote online at https://www.asicsulb.org/mascotsearch for their favorite mascot-to-be during a two-week period. The official student vote will be held May 6-8.

The list of possible choices was narrowed down to six of the most popular mascots by the mascot search committee last month. Hundreds of ideas were submitted and the committee scored each qualified submission based on the initial criteria.

“Associated Students, Inc. accepted mascot ideas from all across the community. Whether it was from a student, alumni, staff or faculty member, or just a fan of Long Beach State, submissions were accepted from everyone,” ASI President Genesis Jara said. “We received hundreds of ideas, and to help process the submissions, we convened a mascot review committee made up of leaders from faculty, staff, alumni, coaches, athletes, the community at-large and student government. After convening and scoring the many ideas using the criteria initially outlined, the committee narrowed down the ideas to six categories. We want to encourage everyone to vote in our poll, to help us narrow down these ideas further”

Following the student vote in May, student government leaders will forward their final recommendations to President Jane Close Conoley, and a new mascot will be announced in June. At that point, the campus will begin to work with professionals in the field to bring the mascot concept to life.

“We are excited to see how many people have embraced the mascot-selection process and we encourage others to do the same,” said Michele Cesca, vice president for University Relations and Development. “This is a unique opportunity – not only to refine our identity and create new traditions that will unify our vast and diverse Beach family, but also to build awareness of everything this vibrant institution has achieved over the course of the past seven remarkable decades.”