LEWISTON, Idaho – After a long and thorough student-prompted campus initiative, Lewis-Clark State College administrators announced on Monday it will be developing a physical mascot, with hopes of unveiling it as early as next fall. The Warriors, which remains the school’s official nickname, will be cheered on at events by a – wolverine.
“What we hope to put in place with this adoption is a physical character that captures the essence of the Warrior Way to help drive engagement, boost event spirit, and promote a lighthearted, positive, and fun atmosphere,” LC State President Cynthia Pemberton said. “I’m very proud of the joint efforts of so many students, faculty, staff and alumni to do the research and bring forward a recommendation that has already been so well received. As has been made clear, we are not changing our Warrior identity. We proudly remain Warriors and now have another resource to promote this fact.”
In 2024-25, LC State's student government (ASLSC) expressed interest in adopting a physical mascot. In fall of 2025, Pemberton commissioned a 19-member task force composed of students, faculty, staff, and alumni to review and further research the topic. Research included, but was not limited to, school history, conference mascots, area mascots, brand identity and marketing, and wildlife native to Idaho. Hundreds of ideas were considered.
“I’ve seen many students who seem to be very enthusiastic about LC State adopting a mascot,” ASLCSC President Rayne Martinez said. “I’m thankful that the student perspective was considered in this project, and I’m excited to see what the next steps are. I think the mascot will help strengthen and portray the identity of LC State.”
After the task force’s four-month research process, LC State utilized two polls to gauge popular opinion, asking students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends for feedback. “Wolverine” was the clear favorite in both a January request for feedback (with 290 responses) and a February poll (with 325 responses).
The following rationale and connections have been cited as possible reasons for the popularity of the “wolverine” on campus:
- Native to Idaho: Though small in number, North American wolverines are native to Idaho, where they survive and thrive mostly in remote, high-elevation alpine and subalpine environments, including in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest.
- Lewis and Clark Connection: In August of 1805 near Lemhi Pass, when Lewis and Clark first arrived in Idaho, Lewis encountered an animal he described as “of the fox kind” and with a “curious mixture” of colors. Lewis wrote that one of his companions shot at the mysterious creature and knocked it down, only to see it get back up and disappear from sight. Historians today believe the creature was none other than a wolverine.
- Small but Mighty: The wolverine is thought to epitomize the spirit of the LC State Warriors through its ability to do big things despite being small. Wolverines are capable of taking on predators 20 times their size, just as Warriors are capable of facing and overcoming big challenges.
- Resilient: Through perseverance, LC State has survived and thrived since 1893. It has overcome fires, a closure, and world wars. The wolverine has done its share of persevering as well, often overcoming harsh mountainous environments and larger predators like bears and wolves.
- Smart: Wolverines, like LC State Warriors, are considered exceptional problem-solvers. They’re adaptable and intentional, with great memories, careful strategies, and an incredible ability to learn.
- Fierce: Like LC State Warriors (especially in athletic competition), wolverines are a force to be reckoned with. They’re strong, fearless, assertive, and determined. Those who underestimate them come to regret it.
- Warrior of the Animal Kingdom: Though many animals are larger and better known, through its tenacity, fearlessness, intelligence, and fierceness, there is no greater “warrior” in the animal kingdom than the wolverine.
- Alliteration: The alliteration of Warriors and wolverine will be conducive for branding.
Founded in 1893, LC State’s first official nickname was “loggers” before adopting the nickname “warriors” in the 1950s. While the school is pursuing a name change to “Lewis-Clark State University,” administrators say the adoption of a mascot is unrelated to that initiative.
Pemberton will be forming a small working group to navigate launch logistics regarding the costume, operations, and management of the mascot.
More information about the mascot initiative is available at www.lcsc.edu/mascot, where future updates will be posted as well.