Rowdy, results a hit with crowd

And the verdict is -- Rowdy the Redhawk.

Southeast Missouri State University unveiled its new costumed mascot at the Show Me Center on Saturday just minutes before the school's men's basketball team played an Ohio Valley Conference game against Austin Peay.

At about 4:55 p.m., with the Show Me Center arena lights dimmed, the mascot was introduced to a roar of approval from the announced crowd of 6,607, which represented by far Southeast's biggest turnout of the season.

The name Rowdy, which had been kept secret prior to Saturday's pregame ceremony, was chosen from among five previously announced names, the others being Rally, Ricky, Rocky and Rudy.

After Rowdy was formally introduced, the mascot greeted Southeast's players and slapped hands with several as they came on to the court just prior to the tipoff.

"This is a historic day for not only Southeast athletics but the entire university as well as the community," Southeast athletic director Don Kaverman said.

OVC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher was also on hand during the event that marked all Southeast sports teams officially being nicknamed Redhawks. Previously, the school went by Indians for men's teams and Otahkians for women's squads.

"I'm glad to be here," Steinbrecher said. "This has been on my calendar since about August."

While Southeast men's players said they were more focused on the game than the hoopla surrounding the mascot and their new nickname, perhaps Rowdy was their good luck charm because they bounced back from two straight overtime losses to beat Austin Peay for the first time in 12 tries, 65-52.

"It was good to come out with a new look," senior forward Reggie Golson said. "It had to be a good luck charm. We're 1-0 with him."

Added senior forward Dainmon Gonner with a laugh: "I think it was the 5 o'clock start. We need to play all our games at 5."