Northridge Campus to host Riverbat Birthday Bash

The Riverbat will make its first landing at Northridge Campus on Nov. 18 from 12 to 1 p.m.

After 3,063 total votes were cast during a three week voting period, it was announced at the River Bats Election

Convention on Oct. 13, that Northridge Campus had won the honor of hosting the Riverbat Birthday Bash.

"They've got the most students, so they have the most votes; it's a no-brainer," said vice chair of the board of trustees Allen Kaplan. "Hopefully the weather will be nice so they can hold it outside, because there is very little room inside."

The mascot costume will be unveiled, and official t-shirts will be distributed.

Co-chair of the mascot search committee Avy Gonzalez explained that the leadership at Northridge had encouraged students to participate.

"They really worked hard to make sure people got out to vote," said Gonzalez.

In the fall of 2009, a mascot search committee was formed. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members worked together to design a process by which the mascot could be created. The public was invited to submit ideas throughout October and November. The top four ideas ended up being the Bbhoggawacts, Blazers, River Bats, and Starblazers.

Last April, at announcement parties at each of the campuses, students learned that ACC had become the home of the River Bats. Students were told that a mascot design was in the making, and would be revealed in the fall of 2010.

Later, the name was changed to the Riverbats. The popular second place name Bbhoggawacts was chosen as the mascot's official name.

Pre-med student Stacy Moreno, 32, said that Northridge deserved the party because they voted the most. Then, she explained what she found significant about the event.

"I think that it's a great idea that we finally have a mascot," said Moreno, "and no matter which campus it's revealed at, it will still represent all of the campuses."