Rowdy the Redhawk used for more than sports promotion

Rowdy the Redhawk is more than a mascot intended to help boost attendance and school spirit at sporting events. The colorful, costumed mascot also helps brand Southeast Missouri State University itself, according to Dr. Charles Wiles, the university's sports marketing director.

"Rowdy has been wonderfully successful for us," said Wiles, who also taught marketing at the university for 33 years. "Rowdy is probably more important to the other aspects of university marketing than he is for the athletic department."

Wiles was the guest speaker at the Tri-State Marketing and Advertising Club's luncheon meeting Tuesday. His main topic was the many uses of Rowdy and how the university's athletic department promotes its 15 different sports programs and 115 athletic events each year.

Rowdy makes appearances at events that aren't sports related, such as at elementary schools, fund-raisers and civic organizations, Wiles said. He has made 100 appearances this academic year, Wiles said.

"He's become an ambassador for the university," Wiles said.

Wiles also unveiled the athletic department's new marketing slogan -- "Get into the game," which will feature prominent community members performing sports feats. One example Wiles gave was Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning commissioner Harry Rediger performing a slam dunk in a business suit.

That would be done, Wiles said, by superimposing Rediger's face over someone actually dunking a basketball. Other community members, such as Mayor Jay Knudtson, are likely candidates to appear in the campaign, Wiles said.