歪歪漫画

DULUTH 鈥� Succumbing to public pressure following the debut of a new yellow Champ mascot costume last week, the University of Minnesota Duluth announced Tuesday the previous iteration of its gray Bulldog mascot costume will return for the 2022-23 school year.

鈥淲e have heard from our students, alumni, fans, and supporters over the last few days and appreciate all of the passion for and loyalty to Champ. The previous UMD Champ mascot will return for the current school year,鈥� .

The UMD athletic department in partnership with the university鈥檚 marketing and communications department will work with a committee to gather input and examine concepts for a new Champ costume. .

鈥淚n addition to the committee, there will be opportunities for members of the campus and community to participate in the selection process,鈥� .

The university began the process of updating its gray champ costume in 2021 to bring it in line with the current logo, which is yellow. UMD has transitioned away from using different colors of the Champ logo over the last decade.

In addition to brand uniformity, UMD wants the new Champ costume to feature modern enhancements, such as cooling features for the safety of the performer. The costume debuted on Thursday included those enhancements, such as breathable fabric and a cooling fan in the head of the costume. The current costume does not include any of those features.

Clint Austin / Duluth News Tribune

UMD showed off its new yellow, growling Champ costume on social media on the afternoon of Thursday, Sept. 1, before unleashing the new Champ that night before a crowd of 3,576 fans at James S. Malosky Stadium during the Bulldogs 31-21 football win over Southwest Minnesota State.

According to a News Tribune reporter who covered Thursday鈥檚 football game at Malosky Stadium, the new yellow Champ received the same reception from fans as the previous gray Champ.

However, critics on social media had already displayed their disgust, comparing the new Champ costume to Winnie the Pooh. .