By: By Al Barba
Release (PDF)
KENNESAW, Ga. (August 28, 2013) – A new member of the Kennesaw State University family will be introduced during the second annual "Flight Night" that will be held at the KSU Convocation Center on Saturday, Oct. 19 at 7:15 p.m.
In addition to the 2013-14 debuts of the Kennesaw State men's and women's basketball teams, the Department of Athletics will introduce KSU students, faculty, staff and fans to the first-ever live Owl mascot.
"I have been a part of a lot of great moments at KSU thus far, but this might be the coolest of them all," Kennesaw Director of Athletics
Vaughn Williams said. "I can't wait to see the reaction of our students and fans when that live owl makes its debut at Flight Night.
"It is another step in building and establishing a great tradition and game day environment at Kennesaw State University for our students and fans," Williams added. "I can picture that day now when the owl comes flying into the stadium on a football Saturday."
After several years of discussing the concept of a live Owl to serve as the official mascot of Kennesaw State, the decision to move forward was finally made last spring. The live owl adopted by KSU was born April 8, 2013 in New York and will receive his name following a contest that will be launched in September. The owl will grow to six pounds with a wing span around five feet and can live up to 60 years.
The live owl is currently living at Winding Woods Ranch in Commerce, Ga., and is being trained by Daniel Walthers, who raised, trained and introduced the first live mascots "Rise" and "Conquer", for the Baltimore Ravens in 2008 and 2009.
The great horned Owl is the official owl of Kennesaw State, and the live owl that will be introduced at Kennesaw State is in the family of the great horned owl.
"We first started talking to Daniel in 2009 and kept in touch since then,"
Lauren Katovsky, assistant athletics director for corporate sales and marketing, said. "About six months ago, Vaughn Williams asked for a proposal and timeline. We knew breeding season was coming up, so we had to act quickly. Dr. (Dan) Papp was very supportive, so we worked with Daniel to secure an egg."
Each Wednesday until the week of "Flight Night", new pictures of the owl will be posted on
www.KSUOwls.com. The naming contest will begin on Sept. 25 and fans will have the opportunity to submit their favorite name by filling out a form on the athletics website or through twitter.
A committee to be named later will narrow the field down to three to five names. Fans will again have an opportunity to select the name as the final names will be open to a public vote that will run Oct. 7-14.
KSUOwls.com will release pictures of the egg, hatched photos and a feature on Walthers, who is training the owl, on Sept. 4.
Keep up with Kennesaw State Athletics by following KSU on Twitter @
KSUOwlNation and or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on
Facebook.
- #GoKSUOwls -
