Time for a new 'fierce' Missouri State mascot?

Sorry, Boomer, it's nothing you did.

You're the same good-humored, happy-go-lucky mascot that students and staff fell in love with years ago.

Problem is, some say, you are just too darn nice.

No decision has been made but Boomer could be getting some company. Students are flirting with the idea of creating a new mascot, something that better fits where the university is now.

The university has grown — changed, really — and just wants to explore its options.

Missouri State University went through a big name change a few years back, which raised its profile, and it has been sprucing up the campus lately. Plus, a tough new football coach, with a military background and a drive to win, was hired this week.

"Boomer is a very jovial mascot. He is very happy," said Kyle Moats, director of athletics. "A lot of the other mascots we run into are more fierce or intimidating."

Moats called Boomer "an institution," a fixture on campus, and he certainly had nothing bad to say. At the same time, he is open to the idea of bringing in new, well, fur.

"If there is a student swell for this …" he said. "We would certainly be open to it."

Missouri State isn't the only university taking a hard look at its mascot and considering a change, or addition. The president of the new National Mascot Association — which is just getting off the ground — said a growing number of campuses are embracing more than one costumed mascot.

Jennifer Smith, who also works in the mascot industry, said universities create mascots to play different roles. She said they can also be key in remaking a college's image.

"It's a trend," she said. "They want a mascot with a more intense fight face. Often, they have a round, friendly mascot that is more of a community mascot."

The interest in change is there, at least among a group of student leaders, and the spring will be spent seeing if the political will exists to make the change, said Jordan McGee, student body president.

"We want to receive feedback about the potential of a new mascot, something a little bit more fierce — to supplement Boomer, not to replace him," McGee said. "We'll still have Boomer."

In early 2015, the Student Body Government will ask the campus to weigh in. Before change can happen, a lot of details — from the name to the overall look — must be hammered out.

McGee said the idea came up as a way to raise the profile of the university. And, while it came up before Dave Steckel was introduced Sunday as the new football coach, McGee said a tougher mascot might be a better fit with Steckel's disciplined, no-nonsense approach.

But change is tough, for anyone.

Brent Dunn, vice president for university advancement, said Missouri State has flirted with adding mascots in the past. There was Growl, sort of a shorter version of Boomer with — despite that ominous name — a similarly sunny disposition.

Another mascot, Buddy, was introduced briefly. He was inflatable and, largely because of that, logistical issues ensued.

"There was a trend that some universities have gone to — they're inflatable mascots," Dunn said of Buddy's appearance in the early 2000s. "They are very, very tall."

Missouri State has been the home of the "bears" since the early 1900s. The mascot was inspired by an image, showing two grizzly bears, on the state seal.

A mascot can take a lot of different forms, from a logo or live animal to a costumed character. Creating a new costumed character can be costly, roughly $10,000.

Smith, who created the association in part to establish safety guidelines, said mascots often generate "intense loyalty."

But, loyalties can change.

She pointed to George Mason University in Virginia, which introduced a costumed mascot named Gunston in the mid-1990s.

"He was a sweet blob of green shag fur," she said, declining to explain how a blob could actually be charming.

The university introduced a new mascot, named Patriot. "He was a big, buff guy with big muscles and a big hat," he said.

Eventually, the university decided that Gunston — like many of its students — needed to "graduate." He still visits, skateboarding around campus to champion "green" sustainability efforts while Patriot became the main mascot.

"Sometimes, mascots go to mascot heaven," she said.

Dunn is eager to see what students come up with and believes the administration will listen, and evaluate, the pitch. He can see a new mascot doing well, especially on the sidelines of football and basketball games.

"We have to have one of the friendliest mascots in intercollegiate athletics," he said. "…Most of the mascots in our conference are fierce-looking. They're not walking around with a smile on their face."

But even if a new mascot comes along, Dunn thinks there will always be room for Boomer — especially at events aimed at family and alumni.

"Boomer is an icon," he said. "It's such a friendly bear. Kids love Boomer because Boomer is happy all the time."