Arkansas State University (ASU) has been using the “Indian Family” as its official mascot for 77 years, but the NCAA changed guidelines in 2005 due to cultural insensitivity to Native Americans. In 2003, ASU decided to create a new mascot, named Red, created by ASU’s director of athletic marketing, Andrea Scott. The spirit character began as a project to design a character that looked friendly, was unique, and was not an animal.
In 2008, the university’s long-time athletic mascot was retired and the ASU Indians became the Red Wolves. This change was made due to the growth of ASU’s sister campuses, leading to the official creation of a system office in 2006. The decision to retire the Indian mascot was not by choice, but rather due to the growing number of students attending the school.
In March 2008, A-State announced its new mascot, the Red Wolves, which continued ASU’s red and black color scheme and highlighted the school’s history. ASU previously issued a cease-and-desist order to the Chattanooga Red Wolves, asserting its exclusive rights to the name and logo. In 2008, the Indian retired at the final home basketball game, and the new and current mascot is the Red Wolves.
The transition from the Indian Family to the Red Wolves was chosen because no longer was there any cultural insensitivity to Native Americans. The Red Wolves football team represents Arkansas State University in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.
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