Jack the Jackrabbit

"Jack" is the official name for the South Dakota State University hallowed mascot. The name was revealed during a birthday party for the 105-year old university icon.

More than 880 people suggested names during a week in October 2010 for the beloved mascot of SDSU. A committee comprised of students, alumni, faculty, university officials and members of the Brookings community selected a list of six finalists for which 3,956 online votes were cast to officially name the mascot. "Jack" received 35 percent of the first-place votes.

"College mascots play a critical role at any institution, not only for athletics, but also an entire university," said Matt Fuks, president and CEO of the SDSU Alumni Association. "They are a visible icon, and in our case, really a true symbol for the entire State of South Dakota."

"We certainly found out that people all over the world, who either graduated from State or had other connections to South Dakota, have a love and affinity for our school's mascot. Everyone seemed interested in what name would be given to the famed SDSU rabbit."

The November 12th  birthday party, planned by Staters for State, the student alumni organization of the SDSU Alumni Association, has become an annual event with cake and prizes and celebration by students, alums, faculty and staff who fill The Union Marketplace.

Photos from the 2011 Jackrabbit Birthday Bash. Click on a photo to go to the set or to control the slide show.