Top-10 Nickname Concept Finalists are set for Public Review and Voting Through Dec. 5. "Fans, welcome to the court your Dixie State College Red Storm!" Or how about "That's Another Dixie State Blazers First Down!" Now imagine DSC's athletic public address announcer saying "Red Hawks Win!"
Those conceptual ideas are three of the top-10 nickname finalists for Dixie State College of Utah's "Dixie Idol" campaign to come up with a new nickname for the institution. Beginning this Friday, Nov. 14, DSC students, faculty, staff, fans, and alumni will have those three concepts along with seven others to choose from, including "Coyotes," "Pioneers," "Ragin' Red,"
"Rattlers," "Red Devils," "Roadrunners," and "Scorpions."
Voters may gain access to the electronic ballot by visiting DSC’s website at www.dixie.edu, then utilizing the "Nickname Voting Page" link on the site's front page. During this round of voting, which runs through Friday, Dec. 5, voters may cast their ballot for their concept as the field will be narrowed down to the three finalists, which will be announced in January.
The top-10 list was compiled by total vote count through the first round of voting this past October, in which all DSC stakeholders had the opportunity to choose from 20 concepts. However, due to possible future issues dealing with trademark and licensing infringements, a selected number of concept finalists were eliminated from consideration. In all, nearly 2,600 votes were cast during the first round last month.
"I hope that everyone, all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members, will jump on the bandwagon and vote for our new nickname," said Brock Bybee, DSC Studentbody President and chair of the DSC naming committee. "It's an exciting time knowing that any one of us going to school here will someday look back on this experience and know that we did something that made a difference at Dixie State College."
Following the January announcement of the three finalists, "Dixie Idol" will really get interesting as the contest moves into the "Shootout" stage, as each concept finalist will perform during a DSC's men's basketball home game (Jan. 26/Jan. 27/Feb. 14). All three finalists will perform as an ensemble during DSC's final home game of the year on Thursday, Feb. 20.
Then beginning Friday, Feb. 21, through Thursday, March 5, all DSC stakeholders can cast one more vote for their favorite finalist online. The outcome of the final vote will be reported to Dixie State's administration and Board of Trustees for approval. Following that process, the winner and new DSC nickname and mascot will be unveiled at the conclusion of the Great Race during "D" Week Friday, April 3, at the Encampment Mall.
Last year, the Dixie State College Board of Trustees voted to retire the use of the "Rebel" nickname and the "Confederate" identity, which was adopted in the 1950s. The hope of the DSC naming committee is to come up with a new school identity that reflects the true pioneer heritage, traditions, values and work ethic of the region. The committee is made up of representatives from DSC's student government, athletic department, faculty, staff, and alumni.
Nearly 3,500 total concept submissions were nominated for consideration over a five-week period from mid-August through the end of September. Each submission was judged and reviewed based on its appropriateness in conjunction with the traditions, values and virtues of the Dixie State College community. A second criteria for consideration is based on the overall number of times a concept has been nominated.
For more information on "Dixie Idol" and to cast your vote, please visit www.dixie.edu.
