GSW unveils new mascot, Surge

AMERICUS – Meet “Surge.”

Georgia Southwestern’s new mascot jogged out of the locker room before the women’s basketball game against Albany State, even wearing tennis shoes.

With a hairdo that could rival any tidal wave, the mascot is expected to be at various school functions and sporting events. The mascot costume arrived from Canada on Friday and costs more than $6,000, according to GSW sports information director Keith Michlig.

“It’s a relief that it’s finally here,” Michlig said. “It’s been a long process.”

The college has had mascots before, but the effort to have another one was jumpstarted when Jaclyn Kaylor became athletic director and Michlig – who used to be an official with the now-defunct South Georgia Peanuts professional baseball team – began his current duties.

“Our goal as a school was to improve the community relations and get the university out there so the public can know more about us,” Michlig said. “It can be a symbol of our athletic department as well as the whole school.”

The price tag in economic times like this was something the school felt was worthwhile enough to take on.

“It took some really fantastic support from the top on down, from the school president (Kendall Blanchard) to everybody,” Michlig said. “This will pay for itself in no time. The good will it brings will be paid off immensely in no time.”

Kids attending Monday nights’ games (the GSW men played West Alabama after the women’s contest) seemed more curious about “Surge” than anything, shouting at the mascot from the seats that are a good 15-20 feet from the court.

There is no permanent person to play the part of “Surge” yet. Auditions will be held soon, according to Kaylor.

Who was the first person to be “Surge” on Monday? It was none other than Kaylor herself.

Wearing Surge’s full costume while talking to The Herald, Kaylor said she was pleased with everything that has happened with the mascot so far.

“It’s a little warm,” she joked after being asked how wearing the costume felt.

“This is something we want to be kid-friendly to the families, so we’re really hoping the kids like it,” Kaylor added. “We will be holding auditions for a permanent ‘Surge,’ though.”