Saddleback College New Mascot Chosen, Design Forthcoming

MISSION VIEJO, CA — After much deliberation, 330 nominations, 21 semifinalists and three finalists, Saddleback College announced that their new mascot would be the Bobcats, on Tuesday.

Saddleback College's former mascot, the Gaucho, was ousted in February. The Mission-Viejo-based school has a long history linked to the Gaucho, seen as a cultural figure and a good luck charm for the athletics program. A petition brought about in September 2020 declared that the college had engaged in "cultural appropriation" and "dishonored the symbol of South American culture." The mascot, petitioners said, was depicted as an "angry, racist caricature of a horseman who looked more stereotypically Mexican than Argentinian."

At that time, the college invited community members to weigh whether maintaining that name contributed to stereotypes or racism.

The discussion about changing the mascot's name has gone on for at least a decade, according to students from 2010. For some, the decision to at last change the school's mascot was lauded.

Former student Heather Hungate says she remembers the Gaucho controversy from a decade ago.

"Hopefully, this time it is corrected," she wrote on the Saddleback College Facebook page in September. "Glad to see this will be addressed."

Others met the mascot change with frustration. Former student Danny Gonzalez defined Gaucho on the Facebook post, saying, "A gaucho is a skilled horseman, reputed to be brave and unruly. Once a Gaucho always a Gaucho!"

Now that they are the Bobcats, a mascot workgroup will work with a mascot designer over the summer on design options.

Once again, Saddleback College will put the mascot design to a vote that will take place early in the fall semester to select the mascot’s visual identity.

Fans weighed in on Facebook, with Andrew Hilleary saying:

"Everyone is that! I have gone to three different schools with that same mascot! awww!" wrote Hilleary.

Miriam Zuniga stated that the Rattlers were more her speed, while Joe Stone says he misses the Gaucho name.

"I played baseball there and was proud to be a Gaucho," Stone wrote on Facebook. "All the names I see above are horrible."

3,200 people voted, with Bobcats winning the day. Stay tuned to see the new mascot designs.

What do you think of the mascot changes? Let us know in the comments.