On October 28, 2020, the Mascot Search Committee announced the following 22 semifinalists, narrowed down from more than 600 suggestions from the community. SSA students, alumni, faculty/staff and parents were invited to choose up to three favorites via the Mascot Preferences Survey by noon EST Wednesday, Nov. 4, and the search committee used the survey results to select the finalists. 

Note: Some suggestions were submitted with descriptors such as Golden, Mighty, Fighting, etc. Once the mascot is selected, those descriptors will be considered in the future branding process in the spring.

Animals
Bison	Strength as a herd. Former presence in Western Pennsylvania.
Bulldogs	Exemplifies guardianship. Loyal, but aggressive.
Griffins/Gryphons	Mythical half lion/half eagle. Symbolizes courage and leadership.
Lions	Pride of lions work together as a team. Largest big cat mascot.
Sharks	Aggressive and smart. Intimidating predator.
Squirrels	Abundant on all four campuses. Hard working and agile.
Triceratops (Toppers)	Three horns and three school divisions. Known to kill a T-Rex. Triceratops statue in Rowe Hall.
Wolves/Wolfpack	Strength as a team. Persistent, smart, devoted to community.
Birds
Eagles	Symbol of strength. Independent, noble and high-achieving.
Falcons	Fastest bird of prey. Population on the rise locally.
Hawks	Keen vision, graceful and tenacious. Often found soaring SSA campuses.
Herons	Smart and hard working. Natural blue and gold color scheme.
Owls	Wise, 360 vision. Ferocious and stealthy.
Phoenix	Mythical, immortal bird. Symbol of hope and rebirth.
Inanimate Objects
Blazers	A nod to SSA formal dress. A beacon that burns brightly.
Blue & Gold	Original nickname of SSA.
Oaks (trees)	Great strength. Symbol of growth. Many on SSA campuses.
Pride	A group of lions. A nod to SSA's community pride.
Steel	Connections to Pittsburgh industry. Strength and versatility.
Storm	Powerful force of nature. A nod to Pittsburgh weather.
Thunder	Force of nature. Powerful and awe-inspiring.
Torch	Centerpiece to SSA seal. Symbol of leadership.

 

July 1, 2020
Board of Trustees announces unanimous vote to discontinue the use of the Indian as the Academy's mascot and the name of its competitive teams, effective immediately

July 15, 2020
Mascot Search Committee co-chairs named: Bob Grandizio, Jr. '90 and Jamie (Brush) Scott '98

July 20-30, 2020
Mascot Search Committee selected and notified; committee composed of students, alumni, faculty, staff, coaches, parents and trustees.

Aug. 3, 2020
Mascot Search Committee announced by President Bart Griffith '93

Sept. 1-21, 2020
Mascot Search Committee identifies search parameters; feedback gathered from committee members, students and faculty on the future mascot's desired characteristics

Sept. 29-Oct. 14, 2020
Open call to the SSA community for mascot suggestions via survey

Oct. 15-28, 2020
Mascot Search Committee narrows down 600+ suggestions to 22 semifinalists, utilizing search parameters, characteristics and focus groups

Oct. 28-Nov. 4
Community feedback gathered on 22 mascot semifinalists via survey

November 2020
Mascot Search Committee narrows down semifinalists based on community feedback and elevates five finalists to the Board of Trustees for consideration: Bulldogs, Hawks, Lions, Owls and Wolfpack

Dec. 17, 2020
The Board of Trustees meets to discuss and vote on the five finalists

Dec. 21, 2020
SSA's new mascot, the Bulldog, is announced to the community

January 2021
Branding committee established; Rickabaugh Graphics selected as branding & design partner after extensive request for proposal (RFP) process

February-April 2021
Branding committee and design firm collaborate on brand research and concept development; design concepts tested with focus groups of SSA constituents

May 28, 2021
New SSA Bulldogs logos and branding unveiled to the community

• The mascot should resonate with all generations of the Shady Side Academy community and be inclusive of the history and future of the institution.
• Shady Side Academy will continue to use the colors blue and gold as our official school colors.
• The mascot name will have a graphical representation that should easily apply to official marketing materials, promotions, uniforms and school merchandise.
• The mascot should not contain references to Native American names, imagery or tribes (e.g. - Warriors, Arrows, Chiefs, Seminoles, etc.)
• The mascot should not contain gender specific names or names that depict a specific race, religion or ethnic group.
• The mascot should have applications for all Shady Side Academy athletic, extracurricular teams, and clubs and should not be specific to any one sport or activity. 

On Aug. 3, 2020, President Bart Griffith ’93 announced the formation of the Mascot Search Committee, listed below. 

Scott Aiken ’79, Retired Senior School Faculty, Parent of Alumni
Kanika Capel, Trustee, Parent
Gene Deal, Director of Athletics, Parent of Alumni
Sonia Dickson ’90 
Karen DiFiore, Junior School Faculty, Parent of Alumni
Joyce Fu ’99
Sean Gray ’97
Bob Grandizio ’91 (Co-Chair), Staff, Parent
David Kassling ’02  
Jack Keating ’21, Student Council President
Kara (Salvitti) Conomikes ’87, Trustee, Parent
Raquel (Gonzalez) Kramer ’92, Country Day School Faculty, Parent
Reggie Mitchell ’12 
John Salvitti ’84, Parent of Alumni
Jamie (Brush) Scott ’98 (Co-Chair), Staff, Parent
Henry Stafford, Parent
Molly Skvorak ’20 
David Vadnais, Middle School Athletics Coordinator, Parent
Bill Wallace ’66, Board of Visitors
Sarah Woodings, Parents' Association President