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UAlbany Casts its Vote for Baby Dane Mascot
"Lil' D"
Joins Damien Courtside at Big Purple Growl
Contact: Karl Luntta (518) 437-4980
ALBANY, N.Y. (February 7, 2004) -- The University
at Albany today announced the name of its new
"baby" Dane mascot: "Lil' D."
The baby Dane joined Damien, the Great Dane mascot,
this fall at University games and other functions,
but didn't have a name. Soon after, the University
launched a contest allowing students, faculty,
staff and alumni to name the diminutive Dane.
The winning name was announced during pre-game
activities at the University's annual basketball
bash, the Big Purple Growl.
In the months leading to the final vote, more
than 100 name suggestions were submitted, which
were whittled down to the six choices put to a
vote: Chance, D.J., Lil' D, Scooter, Scrappy,
and Spirit. Lil' D, submitted by senior Comfort
E. Ebhuoma, received a third of the nearly 400
votes cast.
The Great Dane was first chosen by the student
body to replace the "Pedwin,� which had been
the mascot of the New York State College for Teachers,
the precursor of the University at Albany. The
Great Dane, nicknamed Damien, was chosen for its
qualities of strength, speed and stamina, and
its selection was a reflection of major transformations
under way at the University at that time. When
UAlbany made the move to Division I athletics
in 1999, art student Brian Caverly sculpted the
larger-than-life Great Dane, which is now on display
in the lobby of the University's main sports complex,
the Recreation and Convocation Center (RACC).
The bronze sculpture was a gift to the University
from the Class of 1999.
The naming of Lil' D is part of UAlbany's effort
to boost spirit and attendance at campus events.
Last fall the University offered incentives to
students in its Go2!Events campaign. UAlbany's
first pep band to include students, faculty, alums
and members of the community, officially debuted
at the Big Purple Growl, and Lil' D will join
Damien as a spirit builder for Great Dane athletic
and other campus events.
For photos of the UAlbany mascots, visit https://www.albany.edu/main/features/2003/12-03/4babydane/babydane.htm.
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The University at Albany's broad mission of excellence
in undergraduate and graduate education, research
and public service engages 17,000 diverse students
in nine degree-granting schools and colleges.
The University has launched a $500 million fundraising
campaign, the most ambitious in its history, with
the goal of placing it among the nation's top
30 public research universities by the end of
the decade. For more information about this internationally
ranked institution, visit www.albany.edu.
For UAlbany's extensive roster of faculty experts,
visit www.albany.edu/news/experts.htm.
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