This year marks the 17th birthday of Thunder the Bobcat, GCSU’s beloved blue-green mascot. For nearly two decades, Thunder has been the face of school pride, energizing students and alumni in academics and athletics.
But GCSU’s mascot history spans much further back, with a legacy that reflects the evolution of the university itself.
GCSU’s journey in mascot identity began when it was Georgia State College for Women in 1889. The school first adopted the “Colonials,” symbolizing the historical significance of Milledgeville as a former state capital. Rather than sporting today’s blue and green, the Colonials wore brown and gold, and remnants of these colors can be spotted throughout campus, such as in colored tile in some bathrooms that is inconspicuously reflecting the Colonial color palette to this day.
This mascot highlighted the area’s ties to Georgia’s Colonial Era. The Colonials reflected the university’s deep connection to the region’s early American history, as the state was an original American colony and carries a lengthy history.
As the school grew and rebranded, it adopted the “Governors,” an homage to Milledgeville’s history as the state’s seat of government from 1804 to 1868. This mascot resonated with the university for years, reflecting the political heritage of the city.
Later, GCSU leaned into Georgia’s natural wildlife, introducing the “Rattlesnakes” as its new mascot. The fierce rattler served as the school’s symbol for several decades before the Bobcat was chosen to reflect agility, strength and adaptability.
By the 2000s, although the Bobcat was the official mascot, GCSU lacked any physical representation of a campus cat. This changed thanks to Jason Hendrix, Class of 2009, who noticed the void while attending basketball games.
Hendrix, inspired by mascots he encountered while photographing national sporting events, rallied his friends to form the Thundercats, a rowdy student fan base. He was determined to bring a mascot to life that could embody the spirit and pride of GCSU.
After rallying support from fellow students, he approached Stan Aldridge, former director of the Athletic Department, with an idea. Aldridge encouraged Hendrix to take ownership of the project and thus began the creation of Thunder.
Determined to make the mascot a reality, Hendrix led efforts to raise funds, reaching out to alumni, students and local businesses for donations. But the funds raised were not enough to secure a mascot costume, so Hendrix began networking with other universities’ mascot coordinators.
Through conversations with schools like the University of Florida and Michigan State University, he learned the ropes of mascot creation and financing.
Hendrix’s persistence led him to Tom Sapp of Real Characters Inc., who was known for designing iconic mascots like UGA’s Hairy Dawg and UF’s Albert and Alberta. Hendrix’s detailed vision for Thunder was shared with Sapp, and the design process began.
With a $25,000 donation from then-President Dorothy Leland, Thunder’s creation was officially funded.
“It was one of the most rewarding moments in my life,” Hendrix said. “It felt like everything came together. It wasn’t just about creating a costume; it was about creating something that would represent our school for generations.”
Thunder made his debut in November 2007 during a home basketball game, accompanied by a dramatic unveiling. Cheerleaders placed Thunder’s head at center court while Hendrix, hiding in a blue duffel bag, was zipped into the full costume.
As AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck” blared, Thunder sprang to life, electrifying the crowd.
From his first public appearance at the Hanging of the Greens that Christmas to his continued presence at events across campus, Thunder became an emblem of GCSU pride. Students, faculty and alumni alike embraced him as the face of school spirit.
“I love when I get to see Thunder around campus,” said Denise Fajardo, a senior exercise science major. “I always say hey and sometimes even take a picture with him,” said Denise Fajardo, a senior exercise science major.
Each iteration of GCSU mascots tells a story of the university’s growth. Thunder’s story is a testament to how collective efforts and a commitment to school pride can create lasting traditions.
The evolution from the Colonials to the Bobcats was marked by changes in GCSU’s identity, mirroring its transition into a larger, more diverse institution. As Thunder celebrates his 17th year, he reminds GCSU of its rich history and the resilience of its spirit.
