Pounce (mascot)
Encyclopedia
Pounce is the official mascot
of Georgia State University
. Pounce is usually represented as a stylized panther
with blue fur, sharp white teeth with protruding canines, and black whiskers. He usually wears either the men's basketball
outfit (during basketball season) or the University football
uniform. Pounce has existed in his current form since 2009, but has existed in two previous forms. Prior to that, a host of other mascots represented Georgia State University
.
, which was once native to Georgia. Pounce is 6'0 with a 3 foot tail and favors the colors royal blue and white.
has had multiple names and mascots (under it's various names), beginning with an Owl in 1940 when the school was Georgia Evening College (due to it being a night school). In 1947, the school would, for no apparent reason, change the athletics teams names to the Ramblers. This would again change in 1955 to the Panthers, however at that time no mascot existed for the school. In 1989, Urbie, a crimson panther was created as the schools first real "personified" mascot. Urbie would only remain until 1993 when a new mascot, Pounce, was unveiled. The original Pounce was a cartoonish, muscular blue panther with yellow eyes, a red nose and four fingers on each hand with yellow claws on each. This remained the universities mascot with slight variations (including more ferocious facial gestures) up until 2009. As the university unveiled it's new football
team, it also unveiled a new Pounce, complete with a sleeker design. This is the current mascot in use.
Mascot
The term mascot – defined as a term for any person, animal, or object thought to bring luck – colloquially includes anything used to represent a group with a common public identity, such as a school, professional sports team, society, military unit, or brand name...
of Georgia State University
Georgia State University
Georgia State University is a research university in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1913, it serves about 30,000 students and is one of the University System of Georgia's four research universities...
. Pounce is usually represented as a stylized panther
Florida Panther
The Florida panther is an endangered subspecies of cougar that lives in forests and swamps of southern Florida in the United States. Its current taxonomic status is unresolved, but recent genetic research alone does not alter the legal conservation status...
with blue fur, sharp white teeth with protruding canines, and black whiskers. He usually wears either the men's basketball
Georgia State Panthers men's basketball
The Georgia State Panthers men's basketball team represents Georgia State University and competes in the Colonial Athletic Association of NCAA Division I. The Panthers play at the GSU Sports Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.-Coaches:...
outfit (during basketball season) or the University football
Georgia State Panthers football
The Georgia State Panthers football team represents Georgia State University in the NCAA Division I FCS, competing as an independent, but slated to join the Colonial Athletic Association beginning in 2012. Georgia State plays its home games at the Georgia Dome, which is located off-campus in...
uniform. Pounce has existed in his current form since 2009, but has existed in two previous forms. Prior to that, a host of other mascots represented Georgia State University
Georgia State University
Georgia State University is a research university in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1913, it serves about 30,000 students and is one of the University System of Georgia's four research universities...
.
Tradition
Like many mascots, Pounce communicates via hand gestures and sign language, rather than speech. Pounce is often used in different community projects either sponsored by or held by the University. While Pounce is considered a Panther, a specific definition of which species he is is not elaborated on, although he shows considerable likeness to the Florida PantherFlorida Panther
The Florida panther is an endangered subspecies of cougar that lives in forests and swamps of southern Florida in the United States. Its current taxonomic status is unresolved, but recent genetic research alone does not alter the legal conservation status...
, which was once native to Georgia. Pounce is 6'0 with a 3 foot tail and favors the colors royal blue and white.
History
Georgia State UniversityGeorgia State University
Georgia State University is a research university in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1913, it serves about 30,000 students and is one of the University System of Georgia's four research universities...
has had multiple names and mascots (under it's various names), beginning with an Owl in 1940 when the school was Georgia Evening College (due to it being a night school). In 1947, the school would, for no apparent reason, change the athletics teams names to the Ramblers. This would again change in 1955 to the Panthers, however at that time no mascot existed for the school. In 1989, Urbie, a crimson panther was created as the schools first real "personified" mascot. Urbie would only remain until 1993 when a new mascot, Pounce, was unveiled. The original Pounce was a cartoonish, muscular blue panther with yellow eyes, a red nose and four fingers on each hand with yellow claws on each. This remained the universities mascot with slight variations (including more ferocious facial gestures) up until 2009. As the university unveiled it's new football
Georgia State Panthers football
The Georgia State Panthers football team represents Georgia State University in the NCAA Division I FCS, competing as an independent, but slated to join the Colonial Athletic Association beginning in 2012. Georgia State plays its home games at the Georgia Dome, which is located off-campus in...
team, it also unveiled a new Pounce, complete with a sleeker design. This is the current mascot in use.