New Lake Campus Mascot | Photo by Rose Taylor | The Wright State Guardian
The Wright State Lake Campus got a new mascot after the old mascot, Nessie the Lake Monster, retired. Students and faculty provided mixed reviews about the new name.
The legend of the Hoedag of Grand Lake
Lowdy Laker is based on an over 100-year-old legend about the Hoedag of Grand Lake.
According to the legend, residents of Auglaize and Mercer County have reported seeing a serpent-like monster that roams the lake. Most residents believe that to keep it happy, they must keep the lake and surrounding environment clean.
“I remember my grandpa would take us fishing near the lake. He would always tell us to be good or the Hoedag would come and eat us,” past resident Johnathan Webber said “He swore he saw him several times fishing, but I personally don't have any sighting stories to tell.”
For more information about Hoedag lore, visit this previous Guardian article.
Lowdy is not as dangerous as the Hoedag—Lowdy just loves baseball and pumpkin pie.
Naming day and reactions
The Lake campus had an event at the Boathouse where they unveiled the new name that students had chosen for the serpent.
The name “Lowdy Laker” is meant to be a pun that is spun off from our good old wolf friend “Rowdy Raider.” This name helps bridge Lowdy and Rowdy, and by extension, the two campuses they represent, together as a family.
“It’s nice, I think, that it brings unity to the schools,” Renee Arnold, an adjunct instructor at Lake Campus Business Technologies, said. “It is great for marketing because we are cohesive without abandoning the traditions [Lake Campus] has acquired. It also helps that he’s cute.”
Students are also very fond of Lowdy. One student said she felt like this was needed for Lake Campus.
“I think this is really important for us. It actually makes me feel like Wright State actually cares about us,” Paige Stephens, a Psychology major, said. “I’m personally not much of a fan of the name, but I do think that it’s good that we have him and I’m excited for what this means for the campus.”
Students seem positive about the change and are feeling closer to Wright State since Lowdy’s announcement, and he is ready to cheer on the Lakers at various Lake Campus activities.
