ACC takes online voting for new mascot

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin Community College needs a new mascot. So, what better way to get votes from your students than to make a Mascot Madness bracket? After hundreds of submissions, the search committee narrowed the choices down to the final four.

The four four are the River Bats, Starblazers, Armadillos and the Pioneers.

Voting takes place March 22 through April 2. People can vote online . ACC started a Facebook and Twitter campaign in association with the voting as well. While the voting is taking place, ACC appointed a pink bunny to serve as an interim mascot.

"We think the mascot is going to build school spirit and give ACC a lasting tradition," said ACC student Avy Gonzalez, co-chair of the search committee. "It's cool to be part of something that will have a big impact at ACC long after we finish school."

The mascot search started in the Fall of 2009, when ACC formed a mascot search committe to find the best symbol to represent the college. The committe is comprised of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members. Idea submission took place from October to November 2009. The committee fully researched the mascot choices from January until now. Their research included focus groups and the sheer process of elimination. They did not want a mascot already in use by any high school in ACC's eight-county service area, local universities or colleges and any regional sports teams.

The big reveal will happen in the Fall of 2010.