Dixie State University’s D-Week celebration includes revealing new mascot

Dixie State University will celebrate the unveiling of the institution’s new athletic identity during its annual D-Week festivities. Set to take place April 11–16, the 102nd annual D-Week is themed “The Reveal” and will launch with the unveiling of DSU’s new athletic identity at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 11, in the M.K. Cox Performing Arts Center. In addition to revealing the institution’s new athletic identity and logo, the event will include a short presentation about the identity from President Richard B. Williams. Everyone who attends will receive a T-shirt, sticker, children’s book, and dinner.

The 17-month process of changing the institutional nickname and athletic mascot from Red Storm and Big “D” the Bull stemmed from the desire to establish a strong brand and identity for the university — one of six goals central to the institution’s strategic plan. To accomplish this, Williams, DSU’s Identity Committee, and Love Communications examined research and sought community input via an online survey and focus groups.

“I am beyond thrilled with the new identity and excited to share it with the community,” Williams said. “It satisfies all the criteria the Identity Committee established and will aptly represent Dixie State University for a long time to come.”

D-Week will continue Tuesday, April 12, with the annual D-Queen Pageant at 7:30 p.m. in the Cox auditorium. Judging contestants on their academic achievements and community involvement in addition to their onstage performances, the pageant recognizes DSU students who embody the spirit of generosity, perseverance, and commitment to others. Tickets are $5 at the Cox ticket office.

Wednesday, April 13, rePercussion — a group that uses buckets, barrels, pots and pans — will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 13, in the Gardner Center Ballroom.

On Thursday, April 14, DSU will attempt to break the world record for sending the most people down a Slip-n-Slide in one hour. Doors open at 5:15 p.m. and the event starts at 6 p.m. Free registration is required and can be done ahead of time at dixie.edu/dweek or at the door.

One of D-Week’s signature events, the Great Race, will take place at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 15, at Hansen Stadium. Ten-member teams will relay their way across campus by foot, bicycle, roller blades, water, mud, and more. The race is open to the community and registration packets are available at the Wade Alumni House.

At the conclusion of The Great Race, the D-Week Carnival, complete with food, fun and inflatable toys, will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on the Lower Hansen Field, south of the stadium.

For the 101st year, DSU students and community members will head up to the black hill and whitewash the “D” at 7 a.m. on Saturday, April 16. Participants will sing the DSU school song and pour on a new coat of lime to whiten up the iconic symbol for the next year. After the whitewashing, breakfast will be provided by the DSU Alumni Association.

Later that day, the Alumni Association will host the Evening of Dixie to honor distinguished alumni and friends. DSU superfans Ron and Nora Axton will receive the Dixie Spirit Award, DSU Academic Advisor Mace Jacobson will be given the Big D/Roene DiFiore Award, football coach Greg Croshaw will be honored with the Rebel Award, and business owner and entrepreneur Kevin Ence will receive the Community Service Award. Taking place at 7 p.m. at the Student Activities Center (the Old Gym), the event will also feature a performance by Raging Red, DSU’s singing and dancing club.

Concluding D-Week 2016, the “D” on the black hill will be outlined in fire after sunset on Saturday, April 16, in homage to when the “D” was set ablaze on “D-Day” before electricity was available on the hill. Additionally, the “D” will be illuminated red for the entirety of D-Week, a tradition done each Homecoming and D-Week.

All D-Week activities are open to the public. Except for the D-Queen Pageant, events are free to attend. For more information, visit dixie.edu/dweek.