The SDSU mascot is a beloved and iconic symbol of the university. It serves as a rallying point for students, alumni, and fans at sporting events and other campus activities. The mascot represents the spirit and pride of the SDSU community and embodies the values of excellence, passion, and unity. In 2023, the SDSU mascot underwent a rebranding effort to better reflect the university's image and aspirations. The new mascot design was carefully crafted to be modern, inclusive, and representative of the diverse student body at SDSU. It was important for the new mascot to resonate with all members of the SDSU community and to foster a sense of belonging and unity.
It’s Time For SDSU To Bring Back A Mascot
The first season for San Diego State Aztecs football at Snapdragon Stadium has come and now has gone. In what has now been built as the sports hub for all things football and futbol, the stadium is undoubtedly a huge success.
The primary use for SDSU Aztecs and secondary uses for both San Diego Wave FC and San Diego Legion are surely raising up the profile of all the sports they perform in regionally.
Local high school recruits visited Snapdragon Stadium each Saturday and the love has been visible all over social media.
The most recent CIF San Diego Championships are also evidence of the phenomenal impact this new $310 million dollar SDSU facility can have in each San Diego community.
But it’s no secret the performance of the stadium this inaugural season was unfairly criticized. In early September the hottest Aztecs game to have ever been played kicked things off when SDSU hosted Arizona.
That first day left an impression that stuck with the fans the rest of the season. Coupled with a tough but fascinating year on the field, the atmosphere began to take form as the team also did—very slowly.
The devaluation of the game ticket added together to bring the goal of filling all the seats much more difficult than expected. With a not so full stadium environment it’s only natural that the eyes are then focused on the entertainment value that is being presented.
Not every year played in this new San Diego landmark will be a 12-2 outcome. For those lean years that may come, that is when the tradition and pageantry of College Football must kick in and take center stage.
Marching bands, cheerleaders, dance teams, majorettes and mascots are some of the elements that make collegiate athletics so wonderful. The sights & sounds either create culture for the University or tap in to the culture of the community around them to bring the faithful together in a fun and entertaining way.
For 100 years SDSU has been building their football culture and only recently made the decision to part ways with one of the most fan friendly elements of it—the mascot.
In 2019 under the unilateral decision of President Adela de la Torre, SDSU ended the use of an Aztec Warrior/Monty Montezuma mascot & representation after 88 years of service.
The move was largely criticized but lacked in any real repercussions against the University decision to side with the changing of today’s culture. The years of using live human representation as mascots seem to be over—specifically when depicting that of any ethnic or indigenous tribe or civilization.
Agree or disagree with the move, the one conclusion that all SDSU fans and alumni can agree on is that the retirement left an open job that has yet to be filled. Promises of creating new Aztec iconography and symbolisms to fill the void left by the Aztec Warrior have yet to be seen.
This leads Sons of Montezuma to ask the question of Aztec Nation … Should SDSU bring back a mascot? More directly should SDSU bring back Zuma?
The First Go Round
The furry feeline was quickly judged as a BYU knockoff and was attacked by leaders in the fanbase. Reports to the administration swelled up and unofficially had the lovable sidekick to Monty Montezuma booted away after only two years.
But now after ten years of this dismissal, is it possible that SDSU fans had it all wrong from the start?
Dress For Success
SDSU is seeking to step up their athletic brand in many different levels. The largest would be joining a Power-5 conference. The PAC-12 or BIG12 are the most attainable in this latest round of expansion currently happening.
The move especially to the regional no brainer PAC-12 would mean an increased dedication to marketing, performance, fan engagement and of course, revenues.
With such a unique, exciting, and vibrant representation as the Aztecs, one only needs to look at the peers of the PAC-12 to gain some insight as to what should be done with this all important mascot decision.
Every single institution represented in the 12 team conference has a furry, cuddly and relevant mascot for their teams. Wether it’s the Bruin of UCLA, Beaver of Oregon State, or Buffalo of Colorado, the uniforms worn are on par with that of a Disneyland production.
The only example of a live human representation is that of USC’s Trojan. However Tommy Trojan is also joined in compromise with Traveler his trusty horse, and also a costume mascot with a cartoon creation of the Trojan to be kid friendly.
Smart thinking by USC administration to find a compromise of the two styles. Could this be an option for SDSU? Only the powers that be can decide that.
One thing is for sure, this is not some unattainable mission for such a successful leadership that has reached across all political factions in San Diego County to get a stadium built that was once considered impossible.
Two Sides to An Aztec Warrior–The Eagle and the Jaguar
Ideas of dragons, quetzals and other iconography for SDSU’s spirit leader are great for exploration, but the answer is not that mysterious. The Aztecs themselves have already given us the answer.
By all signs, the human Aztec Warrior is not making a comeback any time soon. But when you consider the historical facts of ancient Mexica culture, the Warrior was represented in two animal distinctions.
Either a Jaguar or an Eagle represent the warriors in battle. Though SDSU fans may not want to face this reality—Zuma, if repurposed and executed correctly, can have a perfect fit. But it’s got to be done right.
If the mascot decision going forward is not a more historically stylized Zuma 2.0, then it is the Eagle which is the next model to aim for.
As glorious of a new home as Snapdragon Stadium is, if the in game environment is going to improve, ultimately it is up to us—the supporters. It’s time to make the call to have our mascot culture back.
It is time to bring back our mascot.
San Diego State University in process of creating a new mascot
SAN DIEGO (KUSI) – San Diego State University is in the process of creating a new mascot.
The longtime ‘Aztec’ imagery and ‘Monty Montezuma’ may be no more.
Tuesday, the SDSU Senate passed a resolution calling for a commission to propose at least two Kumeyaay-named animals to be the new official mascot.
San Diego State University Aztec mascot known as Monty Montezuma.
The resolution will not “replace the Aztec moniker or name,” but rather the Aztec Warrior imagery associated with the school.
This is just the latest of many failed attempts by students, faculty and alumni to change something that people have not had any issues with for decades.
SDSU’s website says in 1925, “the student body voted to adopt the Aztec moniker. The decision to choose the Aztec as a moniker was in conjunction with preliminary plans to move to a new campus and was done in unison with changing the name of the school newspaper to ‘The Aztec’ and featuring a yearbook with prominent Aztec symbols.”
Then in 1941, for the first time, “a student portrayed an Aztec in a football game skit. The character became known as ‘Monty Montezuma.'”
San Diego State University provided KUSI News with the following information in response to this story:
- Established a Native Resource Center
- Hired a tribal liaison to foster collaborative partnerships; Jacob Alvarado Waipuk is the first Tribal Liaison in SDSU’s 125 year history
- Created and launched a formal Kumeyaay land acknowledgement, which is both physically in locations on campus and incorporated into all University Senate meetings and other major university events
- Enhanced Kumeyaay education and recognition
- Established courses on Kumeyaay and Nahuatl, which expands the university’s offerings on other Indigenous languages
- Established Indigenous Employee Resource Groups
- Established the Native and Indigenous Healing Garden, which is a collaborative space that recognizes the unique and shared knowledge of healing
- Continues to implement multiple strategies and initiatives to promote the well-being and success of Indigenous students, faculty, and alumni by nurturing a diverse and inclusive culturally-responsive and belonging environment
Additional strategies which honor our strategic location both on the U.S.-Mexico border and on Kumeyaay land are the university’s strategic plan, which has a planned partnership with Kumeyaay Community College.
As further noted in the 2018 report referenced above, as a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) near the U.S.-Mexico border, SDSU continues to exert its unique capabilities to responsibly “honor the many indigenous people of the region.”
San Diego State University Senate votes to create task force to select new mascot
SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Tuesday, the San Diego State University senate passed a resolution urging the school to start the process of selecting a new university mascot.
It's a discussion that comes around every few years to keep or get rid of San Diego State University's "Aztec" identity.
"It just comes down to just being flat-out offensive," SDSU Native American Student Alliance member Jerimy Billy said.
Tuesday evening, the University Senate passed a resolution (53-9) urging the school to begin the process of selecting a new mascot. Instead of using a human depiction of an Aztec Warrior, the six-page resolution calls to create a task force that will work with tribal leaders to choose new options honoring local Kumeyaay animals, such as the "Amu" or bighorn sheep.
"I felt that I did a great job of upholding the culture," Kyle Anderberg, who was the Aztec Eagle Warrior from 2012 to 2015, said. "It was really cool interacting with all of the fans and doing push-ups after touchdowns and running on the basketball court."
Anderberg said all the Aztec Warriors before and after him were trained to treat the job with respect and that an Aztec cultural artist made the uniform.
"It was not a costume. We never called it a costume. It was a uniform. It was cool to take pride in that," Anderberg said.
He said it is sad this may be the end of a long tradition.
"There's plenty of things that were supposed traditions that, you know, don't have a place in modern times," Billy said.
To clarify, the university has not had an official mascot for years but continues to refer to the Aztec as a "spirit leader."
SDSU sent ABC 10News this statement:
"The University has since retired all references or uses of the Aztec moniker as a mascot in university spaces and, over more than two years, has introduced resources… designed to enhance Kumeyaay education and recognition."San Diego State University
The resolution calls for the university to choose a new official animal mascot by April 2022.
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It was important for the new mascot to resonate with all members of the SDSU community and to foster a sense of belonging and unity. The redesigned mascot incorporates elements from the university's history and tradition, while also showcasing a fresh and contemporary look. It embodies the strength, determination, and resilience of both the university as a whole and the individuals within it.
The mascot's costume and accessories were designed to be visually appealing, vibrant, and memorable. The introduction of the new mascot in 2023 was met with great enthusiasm and excitement. Students, alumni, and fans embraced the updated design and quickly formed a strong attachment to the new mascot. Its presence at sporting events and campus gatherings has become a source of inspiration and encouragement for the SDSU community. The SDSU mascot plays a crucial role in fostering school spirit, building community, and creating lasting memories for students and alumni. It serves as a unifying force and a symbol of the pride and passion that SDSU students and alumni hold for their university. The mascot will continue to be a cherished and influential figure at SDSU for years to come..
Reviews for "The Power of a Mascot: How It Energizes SDSU Athletics"
1. John - 1 star
As an alumni of SDSU, I was deeply disappointed with the choice of mascot for 2023. The design lacks creativity and fails to capture the spirit and energy of the university. It feels like a step backwards, as if we're reverting to outdated and generic mascots that lack any unique identity. I was expecting something innovative and exciting, but unfortunately, the new mascot left me feeling underwhelmed.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
I had high hopes for the new SDSU mascot, but unfortunately, it fell flat. The design is uninspiring and unoriginal, and it fails to represent the diversity and inclusivity of the student body. It feels like a missed opportunity to create a mascot that could truly unite the campus community and ignite school spirit. I was expecting something more dynamic and memorable, but instead, we got a forgettable mascot that lacks any real personality.
3. David - 2 stars
As a current student at SDSU, I was really disappointed with the choice of mascot for 2023. The design feels outdated and doesn't reflect the vibrant and forward-thinking atmosphere of the university. It's hard to feel excited about supporting a mascot that lacks any real energy or charm. I was hoping for a mascot that would inspire pride and enthusiasm, but instead, we got a mascot that blends into the background and fails to leave a lasting impression.
4. Emily - 3 stars
While the new SDSU mascot is not terrible, it definitely falls short of my expectations. The design feels generic and lacks any real personality. It's hard to feel a connection to a mascot that doesn't have any distinct traits or characteristics. I was hoping for a mascot that would embody the spirit and values of SDSU, but this design doesn't quite hit the mark. It's simply average, and in a sea of other universities with unique and memorable mascots, it fails to stand out.
5. Alex - 2 stars
I was really looking forward to the unveiling of the new SDSU mascot, but I was ultimately disappointed. The design feels uninspired and lacks any real creativity. It's hard to feel enthusiastic about supporting a mascot that looks like a generic cartoon character. I was hoping for a mascot that would embody the energy and passion of SDSU, but unfortunately, the new design falls short. It's a missed opportunity to create a mascot that could truly ignite school spirit and inspire unity among students, alumni, and fans.