By Gavin Axelrod
Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) is now the home of the Bold.
The university rang in Orientation Week by announcing its new sports team name and mascot Monday morning. TMU’s sports teams will be known as the Bold and will be represented by a falcon, according to a press release from the university.
Bold was one of three team names that appeared on TMU’s shortlist of mascots and team names back in July.
“Boldness is a core value of our university,” said president Mohamed Lachemi in the press release. “It is shared by our students, reflected in our approach to learning and research and demonstrated on the court, the field, and the rink by our athletes.”
The Falcon wasn’t on the university’s initial shortlist. However in the press release, vice-provost, students Jen McMillen said it was clear from feedback that community members wanted the mascot “to be an animal with local significance, with a level of sophistication and something that would connect to the team name.”
“Falcons are as bold as they come,” said McMillen in the statement. “They are fast and they are fierce, they are good critical thinkers, they are strong.”
Reconsidering the now-former mascot “Eggy” was one of 22 recommendations put forward by the Standing Strong (Mash Koh Wee Kah Pooh Win) Task Force accepted by the university on Aug. 26, 2021.
TMU’s search for a new sports team name and mascot began on May 19 of this year, when the university released a survey asking for community feedback in the process.
In an update about the new name, TMU announced on June 16 that its Mascot and Team Name Committee received over 2000 survey responses, emails and social media contributions. The university also announced that Rams wouldn’t be considered moving forward as it did not align with identified parameters and values.
The school released its official shortlist of names and mascots on July 12. A member of the committee told The Eyeopener for a previous story that the sports rebranding process remained fluid and that there might be ideas that haven’t yet come to the committee. Community input remained open until July 19, at which point phase two of the university’s search for a new team name and mascot concluded.
TMU received an additional 2,700 survey submissions and email responses after the team name and mascot shortlist was released, according to the press release.
The school said the new team name will be used immediately, while uniforms and the physical mascot–including its name and costume–will be unveiled in the coming months. The Eye also previously reported that new team uniforms are expected in January.
In addition, the statement also said facilities at the Mattamy Athletic Centre will be updated to reflect the new name throughout the academic year. The Eye can also confirm that a new team logo is in development.
“Our new team name and mascot represents another opportunity to unify our community behind the shared values and aspirations of our university,” said Lachemi in the statement.
“I am looking forward to cheering on the blue, gold and Bold this fall.”
Leave a Reply