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History of the Raider
1914 - 1960s
No official mascot for Grand Rapids Community College existed, though the team was known as the "Raiders".
1960s - 2000
Some 40 years ago, an unofficial mascot was created by a student. It was a Civil War-era “Raider” with a blue Union cap, mustache and large protruding chin. Over the years, it has been mistaken for everything from a Keystone Cop to a Scrubbing Bubble. This mascot was still being used by the baseball team on their apparel, but not by any other athletic teams or departments at GRCC.
October, 2001
In the early stages, the popular suggestion that we adopt a “Raider” mascot that was not a Pirate or Viking, but instead a “Tomb Raider” or “Raiders of the Lost Ark” mascot was taken. The college determined values like cunning, resourcefulness and agility were attributes it wished to extol. Much like the students at GRCC, the college saw the Raider as someone on a quest for knowledge.
With this in mind, Stevens, Inc. advertising agency was given the task of producing the artwork and worked with Kevin White (http://www.umamidesign.com), an artist working for Fusionary Media, to produce the early sketches. After several different incarnations, it was agreed that a creature such as a raccoon best embodied the characteristics of a “Raider”. Raccoons are intelligent creatures that embody resourcefulness, cunning, and intelligence. They are also tough predators whose teeth and claws are a force to be reckoned with.
Four focus group sessions were held, and we invited faculty, staff, students, and community members to participate and give us feedback on the concept drawings of the mascots, and mock-up logo designs. The response was overwhelmingly-positive. We received several great suggestions, such as altering the satchel the Raider carries to make it look less like a purse. The focus groups also preferred a draft of a more circular logo like the final version that encloses the Raider in the “GRCC Swoosh” logo.
Working with Fusionary Media, Stevens Inc. incorporated the suggestions and changes from the focus groups to produce the final product. Stevens Inc. also adapted the final product into versions that have been imprinted on merchandise ranging from baseballs to sweatshirts. GRCC Raider Apparel is now available in the Student Bookstore.
March, 2002
Students at GRCC expressed a desire to see an actual physical mascot so that the Raider can appear to represent the college at athletic events, community gatherings, and other college-related functions. Running with this suggestion, the GRCC Communications Department began the process of developing a mascot with Real Characters, Inc. in Atlanta, Georgia. Real Characters has developed mascots for many other organizations, including the Nashville Predators "Gnash", the University of Delaware "Youdee", the Washington Capitals "Slapshot", and Michigan State University's own "Sparty". After months of design and development, the prototype of the suit was developed.
August, 2002
The Raider suit arrived August 27 at Gerald R. Ford International Airport by way of Atlanta, Georgia at 10:00 pm, just in time to appear the next morning at an all employee "Learning Day". The mascot was a hit with employees, and the college began to make plans to introduce the Grand Rapids community. The costume was rushed back to Atlanta for some additional alterations, and after a few months - it was returned to GRCC and put into use.
August , 2007
After several years of paperwork, the Raider logo is now officially a registered trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Present Day
GRCC's Raider appears at community events, GRCC athletic events, and gatherings for students and employees. Check out our photo gallery page to see the Raider in action!
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Updated on 06-APR-09
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