Inaccurate history of W logo
Having spent so much time and effort with my colleagues in writing the history of II&C, MSCW, MUW Athletics, it is difficult to let inaccuracies pass unnoticed. An article in The Commercial Dispatch on October 27 entitled “The W unveils new athletic logo” states “Ody Owl was officially made the university mascot in 1982 after an emergency meeting of editors from the student newspaper following a campus-wide poll to determine a new mascot.”
That was how “Missy Deer,” the first mascot, had been chosen in 1950-51. Betty Stone can verify this as she was editor of The Spectator at the time and also recorded this interesting episode in The Dispatch in recent years.
Ody Owl was decided by an appointed committee with Paul Olsen, Director of Marketing, as chairman. I was on that committee and also wrote the details in “The Legacy of The Blues: A Century of Athletics at The W,” a published book written by me and four of my colleagues.
In writing further articles about MUW athletics, I think it would be beneficial to refer to this book.
Dr. Martha Fulton Wells
Professor Emeritus MUW
Columbus
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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