With the recent threat of extinction facing athletics from the referendum vote on March 14-16, the Gator mascot has gone missing, possibly taking SF State’s school spirit with it.

The school’s good luck charm has sat unused due to the lack of volunteers for the position, according to Joe Danahey, sports information director for SF State.

“It represents school spirit, camaraderie and unity on campus,” Danahey said. “It (not having a mascot) really puts a damper on things.”

SF State’s hunt for a mascot started back in 1922 when the student newspaper, “The Vigilante," suggested a cat. The mascot wasn’t brought up again until 1931 when the student newspaper, “The Bay Leaf," announced it was time for the San Francisco State Teacher’s College “to adopt a symbolic animal worthy of (their) great institution”, according to Helene Whitson, recently retired SF State archivist of 38 years.

It was then, in 1931, when the idea of a mascot was taken seriously. Contenders included a purple panther, a golden seal, a golden lion, a golden puma, a seagull and then, the gater, with an “e” to emphasize the San Franciscan location.

“It (the Gator) is strong and we hope our teams have strength," wrote one Bay Leaf reader, according to Whitson. "It is well-built and is steadfast, steadily moving toward its goal.”

During the 1940s, SF State actually had live baby alligators representing the school’s mascots. “Oogie” and “Albert” were donated to a private zoo when school officials realized baby gators grow up to be quite big reptiles.

But will SF State’s athletic department go the way of the vanished Gators?

Officials and students gathered recently to plan their campaign in support of the referendum, which would raise the athletics fee from $35 to $63 to support athletics and intramural sports programs.

“We are going to flood the place with our colors so that people will have no doubt where we are going with this,” said Dr. Michael J. Simpson, SF State athletic director.

If the student body approves the fee increase, the fee will rise gradually over the next four academic years and at the rate of CSU budget increases thereafter. If students reject the change, athletic officials say, they will have no choice but to shut down the program.

Supporters have gathered 5,000 cards, 20,000 bookmarks, 2,500 voter buttons, pamphlets for tabling, and t-shirts for their campaign to convince SF State students to save the athletics department from being cut entirely.

“We’ve really got to show people that (the athletic department is) here," said Mitch Wasik, head athletic trainer and lecturer. "(We have to) educate them on the type of department we have and how it can enrich the whole university experience.”

Many student organizations, like the SF State Marketing Association, the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, Associated Students, Inc., and the Tailgators are all coming together in a united front to save athletics.

“I believe that the referendum will hold our fate,” said Rebecca Hazen, SF State Cheer Team member. “I know that I have some of the best athletes in the sport of cheerleading on my team this year, and I would hate to lose them to other schools or programs next year.”

Danahey and ASI President David Abella, have mentioned the possibility of creating a new position for a Spirit Coordinator if the referendum passes. This person would help to generate more spirit with athletics taking the lead.

With the campaign underway and the referendum vote set for March 14-16, the spirit of the Gator mascot and the essence of the sports teams lay in the hands of the students.