After 22 years, “Boomer’s” reign has come to an end. Boomer, the long-time mascot for Adams State University has officially retired opening the door for two new mascots, Russet and Billy, to represent the Grizzlies. Russet (aka Russ) and Billy were introduced the afternoon of the employee holiday party and again Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, in the Student Union Building.
“The costume for Boomer was due for updates or a complete change,” noted Peggy Dunn, university advisor for the mascots. “After much discussion within the university community, it was determined that two new mascots, Russet and Billy, would be the best option. They will be great representatives of Adams State for many years.”
The costumes for Russet and Billy were designed and produced by The Mascot Company based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The Mascot Company has created mascots for professional sports teams such as the Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, and San Jose Sharks as well as a number of other colleges, high schools, and corporate clients.
“We were thrilled to partner with Adams State on this project,” said Mark Decoux-Cozzi, President of The Mascot Company. “This was an exciting design which gives Adams State not one, but two unique characters. I hope Adams State enjoys these Grizzlies as much as we did to make them.”
“The mascots are intended to be attractive to a variety of audiences, not just athletics,” added Dunn. “Russet is the larger, more dominant Grizzly bear, while Billy is more of a younger sidekick, or sorts. We love them and the community will as well.”
The names for the mascots were selected following campus and community-wide nominations, surveys, and focus groups. Russet is named in tribute to the local farming community, specifically the potato industry. Billy is named for the founder of the university, Billy Adams.
