The twelve names are: A’s, Black Wolves, Diamonds, Express, Mallards, Mustangs, Red Dragons, Red Storm, Red Wolves, Ridge Raiders, Ridge Runners and Thunderbirds.

According to Jim Pickens, who chaired the meeting, these 12 names will be forwarded to the full Mascot Selection Screening committee for evaluation.  At the next meeting, the group is expected to select approximately five names to be given to the selected sports marketing firm to research and develop related imagery. 

The deadline for marketing firms to respond to the request for proposals is Friday, Nov. 16. After a review by the ASU staff to ensure that all provisions of the proposals meet the defined criteria, selected members from the MSS committee will review these documents to determine which firms should be brought in for presentations.  It is hopeful that a firm can be secured by Nov. 30.  

Pickens congratulated the group on a successful conclusion to the first phase in their three step process. The first phase, which has been labeled the "suggestion" phase, provided more than 1,500 suggestions which were posted on the web site by the general public. He noted they are currently engaged in the second phase which incorporates the "screening" of potential names, and the committee has accomplished this task by bringing forward these 12 names for additional consideration out of the larger pool. The third phase, which will be the "recommendation" of a new name and imagery, is not expected to be completed until the spring semester.