Leading the team onto the field in grand fashion, a new high flyer for the Griffins was unveiled during Friday night’s football game. The Gretna East mascot, who is yet to be named, got the team excited before their matchup with Plattsmouth. But they weren’t the only ones hyped; the crowd joined with their new furry friend.
“I immediately thought that the mascot brought the energy to the student section,” senior Mason Loberg said. “It was electric.”
The first-ever mascot was sported by senior Drew Rhoades, who carried the flag out in front of the team. Rhoades hopes this is the start of yet another Gretna East legacy.
“I felt excited to be the first person to ever wear this,” Rhoades said. “I’m excited to be able to bring the energy in the uniform to the fans and students of Gretna East. I’m hoping that whoever continues to wear the mascot brings great energy every game and has fun doing it.”
Although Rhoades is the current mascot, he won’t be the only one. Students interested in becoming the mascot have a chance to submit their names if interested. Athletic Director Ryan Garder will email in the coming weeks for an email regarding interest in becoming the mascot.
Additionally, students also have a chance to suggest a name for the mascot via a Google form with submissions due by Oct. 4. Proposed names will be voted on bracket style in the coming weeks. Garder’s plan is to have the most voted-on name become that of the official mascot.
“I just talked to Lincoln Standing Bear’s athletic director just yesterday, and they, as a student body, voted to name their mascot,” Garder said. “I think it’s a pretty cool way that we [the student body] had the choice between two different fight songs. I would like to see in some capacity, that we do some kind of naming system.”
Inspiration for the mascot took place during meetings with the Gretna East booster club last year. They drew inspiration from other schools and had the funds to create the first model.
They ordered the suit through Face Maker, a mascot making company that’s been in business for over 50 years, with the hope of receiving it during football season, which came to fruition as evident by last night’s unveiling.
The Griffin mascot is the fusion of a lion and an eagle to create the mythological creature. It features a body resembling a lion with furry paws and feet and a tail, and the wings and head of an eagle. He even sports a Gretna East jersey over his torso.
Fans should expect to see the mascot in the coming weeks at multiple events and continue to be a staple for generations to come.
