The mascot the college released today is as close to the original as the school could get, said Molly Wallace, director of public relations and marketing for HCC.

In a statement on the matter the college said HCC “is once again the ‘Home of the Patriots.’ With an updated design, the college is uniting the Roanoke Valley behind a symbol of pride and history. Unveiling the new mascot as part of the 50-year milestones is a significant moment for HCC.”

College president Michael Elam said in the statement the idea of reinstituting the Patriot mascot came as HCC reactivated its alumni association and re-engaged with its alumni.

One alumni, William Boseman, shared how he played on the school’s first basketball team, which was named the Patriots and the colors red, white and blue. “I thought it would be a great idea to re-activate the mascot, and our public relations director found an old picture of it.”

Now, Elam said, his plan is to create a competition to transform the 50-year-old Patriot mascot into one with a more modern look which is more representative of today's students and employees.

“As a new school year starts, HCC’s campus has once again become the Home of the Patriots,” Elam said. “For students and graduates alike, the past and the present are coming together to recognize 50 years of academic excellence and service.”