Fun fact: I selected the Skyhawk nickname for UT Martin

Posted on: July 29, 2018 at 16:32:25 CT

Most fun PR project Ive ever had. I worked at a Nashville PR firm in the early 90s. The UTM AD wanted to change the nickname from Pacers. He loved the Jayhawks, BTW. Anyway, I discovered they were known as the Sky Pilots way back when they were a bible school with preachers that would fly around in tiny planes to spread the word. Hawks are plentiful in the region. I decided Skyhawks would be ideal, since no one had the nickname (except for a defunct USFL team from Raleigh was Sky Hawks). Wolfpack was the other option.Two other personal favorites -- Snapping Turtles and Polecats (think of the merchandising possibilities!) -- narrowly missed the cut. We made sure the AD liked both options BEFORE putting it to a student vote. Skyhawks won. Our agency developed the logo, which they still use, and the mascot costume (not sure it lasted). Our"game plan" for nickname change research and process was also used by SEMO, Ark St. and NE La when they changed their Indian nicknames. funny how two have hawks in them (Redhawks, War Hawks) and one has wolves (Red Wolves)

Edited by sfprman at 16:34:38 on 07/29/18