 It was with careful consideration and prayerful discussion that the LCU athletic department undertook the task of renaming its sports
teams, formerly known as the Preachers and Angels for men's and
women's collegiate sports. According to Matt Clark, LCU athletic
director, "after doing our survey and research work, we concluded
that if we were going to change our mascot, now (the change to
university status) would be a good time."While 36 percent of
those surveyed opposed the change, the majority of responders --
students, prospective students, faculty, staff and alumni --
supported the plan to establish a school athletic team name and
mascot that could be used for both male and female teams and be
represented graphically.
A Lincoln Christian athletic mascot committee began meeting
before the university name change and determined that any new name
should reflect the mission of the school in developing leaders and
at the same time be a legitimate athletic mascot. To that end, they
narrowed the options to two choices and conducted a follow-up survey
to faculty and staff via e-mail this summer.
The overwhelming response was in favor of lions as a mascot. "We
also have chosen to add the word 'red' and become the Red Lions. Red
has been our school color since the inception of athletics at LCU,
and it helps distinguish us from other schools who have the lion as
their mascot," Clark explained.
"Becoming the Red Lions is a way to connect our past history with
our future. The lion has been viewed positively throughout much of
human history, often referred to as 'king of the jungle' or 'king of
beasts.' It has been a prominent symbol in ancient art and
architecture. The Bible uses the lion metaphorically to describe the
tribe of Judah as a people marked with boldness, power and majesty.
Scripture also uses lion imagery to offer a fascinating contrast
between Satan and Jesus. Satan is presented as a treacherous lion
looking to devour (1 Peter 5:8), while Jesus is pictured as a
triumphant lion who makes everything right (Revelation 5:5). Our
enemy, like a hungry lion, is ruthless and aggressive, but our Lord,
as an honored lion, is majestic and worshipped, in the end
victorious."
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LCU President Keith Ray adds: "As a mascot for Lincoln Christian
University, the lion represents an athletic program marked with
dignity, discipline and an eager desire to glorify God."
Currently, the LCU Red Lions are participating in the 2009 NCCAA
Division II men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball seasons.
The National Christian College Athletic Association's coaches poll
for the week ending Sept. 23 has the Red Lions of LCU ranked second
in the nation for women's volleyball in their division.
Visit
www.lincolnchristian.edu for more LCU athletics information.
Lincoln Christian University is celebrating its 65th year of
providing higher education and is accredited by the
Higher Learning Commission, a
commission of the North Central
Association of Colleges and Schools; the Commission on
Accreditation of the Association for
Biblical Higher Education; and the
Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada.
The university's three schools -- the School of Undergraduate
Studies, the Hargrove School of Adult and Graduate Studies, and the
Seminary -- share a mission to nurture and equip Christians with a
biblical worldview to serve and lead in the church and the world.
[Text from file received from
Lincoln Christian University]
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