NCAA - New Mexico State University
New Mexico State U. Might Retire Pistol Pete
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New Mexico State U. |
LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Pistol Pete, the gun-toting
mascot for New Mexico State University, may have a
battle on his hands to keep his job.
Talks are under way about whether the time has come
to retire the mascot, who has donned his huge cowboy hat
at Aggie games and other events for 40 years.
NMSU President Michael Martin said no one has yet
decided that Pete needs to go, but it's at least time
for a makeover.
The current Pete costume is decades-old and scares
children, Martin said.
No one knows who or what would replace Pete as the
university's mascot.
Discussions about Pistol Pete's future are part of a
$220,000 marketing plan to remake the university's image
for a national stage.
Officials have already unveiled a new logo, which has
the words "NM State University" printed in white on top
of a crimson-colored background in the shape of the
state.
It will replace the logo used by athletics, which
uses black letters printed in a different style, and the
academic logo of three triangles.
While the new logo is a done deal, some NMSU
graduates want to keep Pistol Pete.
Dave Wilson, a 1981 graduate and the owner of a local
marketing firm that does work for NMSU, said he's fond
of Pistol Pete.
"He's an icon. He's part of the heritage," Wilson
said. "I don't mind an update on the guy, but, golly,
he's Pistol Pete."
The athletics department is charged with proposing a
Pete makeover and a national firm advising the
university on the marketing changes will soon make a
recommendation on whether to remake or retire Pete,
Martin said.
This article was taken from
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