PEORIA, Ill. – For the first time since 1996 a mascot will be present for Bradley University Athletics events when the gargoyle is unveiled Feb. 22 during the men's basketball game against Loyola Chicago at Carver Arena.
The gargoyle will make its first public appearance pregame Feb. 22 and will be available for photographs at the game against the Ramblers. Bradley students in attendance will receive free t-shirts featuring the officially-licensed gargoyle imagery. Additional shirts will be available for purchase by the general public at the Bradley Athletics merchandise stand at Carver Arena the night of the game, as well as the Bradley University Bookstore beginning Feb. 23. Bradley Basketball season-ticket holders will have the opportunity to purchase the mascot t-shirt at a reduced price Feb. 22 only at the Bradley Athletics merchandise cart.
The nickname for Bradley Athletics teams will remain “Braves,” but the school announced in October it would develop a new mascot to be modeled after “The Thinker” gargoyle perched atop the Hayden-Clark Alumni Center. The University also solicited names for the gargoyle in November and the mascot's name will be announced when the gargoyle is introduced to the Carver Arena crowd Feb. 22.
The Bradley gargoyle mascot has its own Facebook and Twitter pages, both of which went live Wednesday. Fans may “like” The-Bradley-University-Gargoyle-Mascot on Facebook or “follow” @BradleyU_Mascot on Twitter.
Bradley Athletics completed a re-branding initiative in August 2012, introducing new marks that include a bold, licensed font, as well as a red and white shield around the letter “B.” The research surrounding the branding initiative revealed a desire by the Bradley community to develop a mascot and the gargoyle emerged as the most popular concept during the process.
Bradley eliminated all Native American imagery associated with its athletic teams in 1994, replacing its marks with a red, block BU, diagonally crossed by a script Braves. At the same time, the school introduced a bobcat mascot, but the character never gained great acceptance within the fan base and later was dismissed as the official mascot.
In addition to the unveiling of the gargoyle mascot, the 1998 Missouri Valley Conference champion soccer team, soccer All-American and Major League Soccer player Tim Regan, two-time MVC women's golf champion Kelly Dillon and baseball All-American Wyman Carey will be inducted into the Bradley Athletics Hall of Fame during halftime of the Feb. 22 game against the Ramblers.
Tickets for Bradley men's basketball games at Carver Arena start at $8 and may be purchased in advance by contacting the Bradley Athletics Ticket Office in Renaissance Coliseum (309-677-2625), through any TicketMaster outlet or online at BradleyBraves.com. Fans purchasing tickets in advance at Renaissance Coliseum for the Feb. 22 game versus Loyola or the regular-season finale Feb. 25 against #2 Wichita State may receive a free seat upgrade from the Red to the White or from the White to the Bronze levels.
Bradley Athletics Mission
Provide every student-athlete the opportunity for both a distinctive education and a championship experience
Accountability | Courage | Diligence | Integrity | Respect
