Indiana University East is one step closer to naming a new mascot. The IU East mascot steering committee has narrowed the 165 different nominations to five finalists.

The university is now inviting the public to vote for a favorite finalist.

The finalists were announced today as part of the homecoming festivities during the IU men’s basketball game versus Ohio Christian University. The finalists are the Bruins, Crimson Pride, Mavericks, Red Storm and Red Wolves.

Suggestions were submitted by faculty, staff, students and the public.

“We’re excited to find out which of these mascot names the university community and the broader community want to rally around,” said Rob Zinkan executive director for External Affairs and Marketing and chair of the mascot steering committee.

To cast a ballot for a favorite mascot name, go online at www.iue.edu/mascot. Voting will continue until February 17. The site includes a brief description of a potential visual identity for each mascot name along with an opportunity to submit additional comments. The new mascot name and logo will be unveiled publicly by the end of this academic year and will be fully implemented for the start of the 2008-2009 academic year.

The campus is moving now to change its current Pioneer mascot to coincide with its new mission as a baccalaureate-degree granting campus and its more vibrant leadership role in enhancing the quality of life and economic development of east central Indiana and west central Ohio. In addition, IU East officially launched intercollegiate athletics this past fall with its acceptance into the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).