The Hawk (Saint Joseph's University mascot)
Encyclopedia
The Hawk is the mascot of Saint Joseph’s University. The Hawk represents the University’s motto, “The Hawk Will Never Die” by flapping its wings non-stop (even during halftime) throughout every basketball game. The Hawk, who has been flapping his wings since 1956, is one of the most decorated mascots in college sports, having been called the best college mascot by ESPN College Basketball Magazine, Sports Illustrated, and The Sporting News.

A few years ago, ESPN did a special on the Hawk, using a "flap-o-meter" during a nationally telecast basketball game. It estimated that the Hawk flaps its wings 3,500 times a game. This flopping did lead to conflict once. At a game against nationally-ranked URI
Rhode Island Rams
The Rhode Island Rams are the athletic programs of the University of Rhode Island, based in Kingston, Rhode Island, USA. The school sponsors 18 athletic programs , most of which compete in the NCAA's Division I Atlantic 10 Conference. The football team, however, competes in the Colonial Athletic...

 in Keaney Gymnasium
Keaney Gymnasium
Keaney Gymnasium is a multi-purpose arena in Kingston, Rhode Island, USA. The arena opened in 1953 and currently seats 3,385 . It was home to the University of Rhode Island Rams men's basketball team before it moved to Ryan Center in 2002. Currently, the volleyball team calls Keaney home...

 on February 3, 1998, Rhody the Ram
Rhody the Ram
Rhody the Ram is the official mascot of the University of Rhode Island. His mascot status was given on March 8, 1923, and he made his first appearance on November 21, 1929....

 attempted to stop the flapping by putting an inner tube over the Hawk's head, knocking the head off of mascot Bobby Gallagher and leading Gallagher to rush Rhody. Rhody was ejected from the game, but the Rams still won the game, 94-76.

The role of mascot is annually awarded to a student, who is given a full scholarship for serving as the Hawk. He or she travels with the basketball team to all of its away games.

Hawk Selection

Hawk selection has become an annual application and interview process in which a current student is selected to represent to school. Since 1992, the student awarded the role of mascot has been recipient of an endowed scholarship and is considered a full member of the basketball team.
List of Students who have served as the Hawk
Season Student
1955 to 1956 Jim Brennan
1956 to 1957 Jim Brennan
1957 to 1958 Jim Brennan
1958 to 1959 Pierce Markley
1959 to 1960 Pierce Markley
1960 to 1961 Pierce Markley
1961 to 1962 Al Pastino
1962 to 1963 Al Pastino
1963 to 1964 Al Pastino
1964 to 1965 Charlie Wieners
1965 to 1966 Charlie Wieners
1966 to 1967 Chuck Elsesser
1967 to 1968 Chuck Elsesser
1968 to 1969 Bill Berner
1969 to 1970 Bill Berner
1970 to 1971 John Donnelly
1971 to 1972 John Donnelly
1972 to 1973 Joe Cassidy
1973 to 1974 Joe Cassidy
1974 to 1975 Joe Boyle
1975 to 1976 Joe Boyle
1976 to 1977 Joe Boyle
1977 to 1978 Joe Boyle & Ron Manion
1978 to 1979 Kevin Quirk
1979 to 1980 Kevin Quirk
1980 to 1981 Kevin Quirk & Randy Kiernan
1981 to 1982 Randy Kiernan
1982 to 1983 Dennis Sheehan
1983 to 1984 Dennis Sheehan
1984 to 1985 Dennis Sheehan
1985 to 1986 Jim Boyle, Jr.
1986 to 1987 Frank Simone
1987 to 1988 Frank Simone
1988 to 1989 Jim Scarano
1989 to 1990 Jim Scarano
1990 to 1991 Tony Duldulao
1991 to 1992 Chuck Sack
1992 to 1993 Chuck Sack
1993 to 1994 Dan Gallagher
1994 to 1995 Brian Kearns
1995 to 1996 Brian Kearns
1996 to 1997 Glenn "Trip" Whitaker
1997 to 1998 Bobby Gallagher
1998 to 1999 Pat McGrory
1999 to 2000 Joey "G" Gawarzewski
2000 to 2001 Sarah Brennan
2001 to 2002 Steve Klarich
2002 to 2003 Steve Klarich
2003 to 2004 Chris Bertolino
2004 to 2005 Mike Tecce
2005 to 2006 Andrew Moral
2006 to 2007 Jim Miller
2007 to 2008 Jim Miller
2008 to 2009 Tim Klarich
2009 to 2010 Brienne Ryan
2010 to 2011 Tim Higgins
2011 to present Joey Mreczko





Sarah Brennan in 2000-01 and Brienne Ryan in 2009-2010 have been the only women to serve as the mascot.

Awards

  • Sports Illustrated Mascot of the 20th Century
  • Sporting News Mascot of the Year 2001
  • Street & Smith's Best Mascot
  • ESPN College Basketball Magazine Best Mascot
  • "Best of Philly" award from Philadelphia Magazine in 2003-04
  • Eastern Basketball Atlantic 10 Conference's best mascot
  • The Hawk was nominated for induction into the Mascot Hall of Fame
    Mascot Hall of Fame
    The Mascot Hall of Fame is a hall of fame for United States sports mascots. It was founded by David Raymond, who was the original Phillie Phanatic from 1978 to 1993. It is an online-only hall, with an induction ceremony taking place each year in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania...

     in 2008.

External links


See also

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