March 26, 2002
Moraga, CA - The Saint Mary's College Department of Athletics and Recreational Sports today announced the name of its new mascot, Gael Force One. Gael Force One tallied 192 votes, one more vote than Sir Wins-a-Lot. The other four finalists were Sir Scores-a-Lot, Slip (in reference to legendary coach Slip Madigan), Gaelius, and Gaelin.
The Name the Mascot Contest lasted for seven weeks and began with fans submitting nominations to SMCGaels.com. After receiving 185 nominations by the March 1 deadline, a 12-person committee narrowed the nominations to six finalists. Nominations were received from fans representing 10 different states. The six finalists were then placed in a fan poll on SMCGaels.com and fans voted from March 5 through March 25.
Michael McCaffrey of San Francisco submitted the winning nomination. He will receive a $50 gift certificate to Gameday Souvenirs and two football season tickets.
Gael Force One stands nearly 10 feet tall and is inflated by a fan that the person inside the costume wears. The new mascot was unveiled at the January 7 men's basketball game against Utah and has been a crowd favorite ever since. Three students wore the costume at basketball games this year and their identities have remained anonymous. There will be a mascot tryout before the end of the school year to find a student to wear the costume next year. That person will attend a mascot camp in Omaha, Nebraska this summer.
