Spoon River College seeks name for mudcat mascot
<p align="justify">Some people call him "Whiskers" and others call him "Muddy," but the new mudcat mascot at Spoon River College doesn't have an official name.
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<p align="justify">School officials hope to change that and are seeking help from children in the district. A contest to choose a name is open to children ages 5 through 12.
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<p align="justify">"The purpose of this is to involve the future students of Spoon River College," said Dr. Robert Ritschel, the school's president.
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<p align="justify">"Many college mascots have fun names that create enthusiasm and loyalty for the teams," said Rick Eddy, Spoon River College director of athletics and student life.
<p align="justify">"We want our mudcat to have a name to join the distinguished ranks of mascots, including Rocky at Western Illinois University, Reggie the Redbird at Illinois State University, and Prowler the Panther at Eastern Illinois University.
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<p align="justify">A group of honors students at the community college led an effort earlier this year to change the mascot from Crusaders to Mudcats. A Spoon River College student also created a design for the new mascot, which is a blue catfish.
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<p align="justify">"We want to have a new name selected for the Mudcat in time for the tip-off of the 2007-2008 basketball season," said Eddy. The winning name will be announced at the first home game of the Mudcats on Nov. 20 at the Cuba High School gymnasium.
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<p align="justify">Entries must be postmarked by Oct. 26 and mailed to Name the Mudcat, Spoon River College, 23235 N. County 22, Canton, Illinois 61520.
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Entry forms also will be available at the college's campuses in Canton and Macomb and centers in Havana and Rushville.
<p align="center">Reach Journal Star reporter Brenda Rothert at (309) 686-3041 or state@pjstar.com.
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