News

Rumors of Prospector Pete’s death are greatly exaggerated

Despite the implications of recent local headlines, Cal State Long Beach will hold onto its iconic mascot, and its historic nickname of Prospector Pete and the 49ers’.

The recent media buzz, which indicated that the mascot and the nickname might be “on the chopping block,” as the Long beach Press Telegram wrote on Tuesday, has led to a confused perception on campus, and in Long Beach.

“Rebranding wouldn’t be the best word,” said Terri Carbough, associate vice president for legislative and external relations. Carbough said that the campus name is “only one part of a much larger conversation…at this point, there is just a conversation.”

Senior associate athletics director for external relations and communications Dedan Brozino said “not to worry,” Prospector Pete will still be at home sporting events, and the 49ers are not going anywhere.

“There is a refreshing of identity here in the athletics department, which does not seek to ‘rebrand’ the campus name in any way.” Brozino said. “Part of what we are doing here is re-establishing the LBSU athletics identity, and emphasizing our history.”

A recent gift of $100,000 from an alumni group, which is the largest group donation that the athletics department at CSULB has ever received, will be used to “strengthen the overall image of the department for potential recruits, donors, and ticket-holders at games.”

Brozino said he wants to emphasize that this is a project that pertains to the athletics department, and that this large monetary gift will not be used for the purposes of “rebranding” the school, or anything else.

He said that if the campus does take any steps toward eliminating the Prospector, or any of CSULB’s many names, it will be a move that the athletics department will want students to be involved with.

Associated Students Inc. President Joseph Phillips also confirmed via email that Prospector Pete is not going anywhere, and clarified that the athletics department is refreshing its visual identity “to create consistency of the Athletics brand (not the University’s) and better promote our sports programs.”

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

Daily 49er newsletter

Instagram