The system also introduces full-body and head marks depicting the Phoenix with a sharper, more athletic look. That vision comes to life in a new mascot costume designed to give the Phoenix a more dynamic presence and make it easier to engage with fans. The focused expression and forward-leaning stance convey determination and motion, while the gold sweater, monogram “E” and stylized flames on the shoes draw from Elon’s history and traditions. Together, the new marks and costume connect generations of Elon fans while reflecting the energy and ambition of today’s student-athletes.

This visual evolution comes during a period of notable momentum for Elon Athletics. Guided by Phoenix Rising, its five-year strategic vision, the department is pursuing championship success, academic achievement and holistic student-
athlete development across its 17 varsity programs. During the 2025-26 academic year, Phoenix teams won seven CAA championships, student-athletes posted a department-record 3.444 cumulative GPA and Elon led the conference with eight Leadership and Sport Excellence Award recipients.

“This identity reflects both who we are and where we are headed,” says Jenn Strawley, director of athletics. “It honors the history and traditions that have shaped us while giving us a fresh way to represent the energy and character of Elon Athletics. This identity embraces our present and sets our path for the future.”

The Phoenix’s New Look

1. Built to Move, Made to Connect

An upgraded head design improves visibility and mobility, allowing the Phoenix to interact more naturally with fans and bring greater energy to each appearance.

2. A Tenacious Spirit

A focused expression conveys the determination, confidence and purpose that define the Elon community.

3. Ready for the Spotlight

Updated materials and construction give the costume a stronger presence in photographs, videos and game-day crowds.

4. A Link to Elon’s Past

The gold sweater and monogram “E” honor Elon’s original Fightin’ Christian mascot, connecting a familiar piece of our history with a new generation of the Phoenix.

5. Fueled by the Flame

The flame detail evokes the rebirth at the heart of the Phoenix story — and the enduring spirit behind Elon Athletics.

6. Best Foot Forward

Custom shoes echo the Phoenix rising from the ashes, pairing a symbol
of resilience with a bold, contemporary style.

Legions of Elon fans know the Phoenix and the Fightin’ Christian, but devotion to Elon Athletics predates those mascots. The school had multiple names for its football team in its early years, including the Elon Eleven, the Maroon and Gold Machine and the Bear Cats. The Fightin’ Christian identity was first used in 1921 during a football game against Guilford College, whose mascot is the Quakers. The game was billed as “Christians vs. Quakers” because of Elon’s ties to the Christian Church denomination, today the United Church of Christ.

The identity was first used on an ongoing basis during the 1922-23 season and became the customary name for all Elon athletics teams beyond football even though it was never officially adopted by the college or the trustees at the time. The Fightin’ Christian mascot was introduced in the early 1970s, during which time the women’s athletics teams were referred to as the “Golden Girls” in the early years of organized women’s basketball.

But by the late 1990s, as Elon rose in national prominence and the school gained NCAA Division I status, some constituents grew concerned that the Fightin’ Christian identity would be misunderstood and misinterpreted by a broader audience that didn’t have the same direct knowledge of the institution and its history as local and regional audiences. The Board of Trustees voted to adopt a new athletics identity in October 1999.

President Leo M. Lambert appointed a 15-member Athletics Brand Identity Committee to establish a new identity for the fall 2000 season in partnership with SFX Sports Group, a New York-based sports marketing firm. According to an FAQ document from May 2000, more than 200 members of the Elon community suggested more than 125 new names that “ranged from the unusual (such as aardvarks, fat-tailed geckos, angry apes, rancorous existentialists and lyme ticks) to the common (such as lions, tigers and bears).”

The elegant and brilliant Phoenix described by ancient scholars was sleek, swift and one-of-a-kind. I can think of no better description for Elon’s outstanding athletics programs. — Leo M. Lambert

The committee conducted focus groups and surveys with more than 120 students, trustees, alumni, faculty and staff before homing in on four of the highest-rated suggestions — the Phoenix, the Mighty Oaks, the Express and the Golden Eagles. SFX created 61 different graphics for the top four names before the final Phoenix identity was selected, with a flying Phoenix formed in the shape of the letter E.

Constituents were drawn to the Phoenix’s many ties to Elon’s history. The Phoenix is a mythological bird with crimson and gold plumage associated with light and knowledge. At the end of its life, it builds a nest in an oak tree and bursts into flame before being reborn from its own ashes — much like Elon rebuilt after the 1923 fire.

“Like the legendary Phoenix, which rises from its own ashes with new life and vigor, Elon College was shaped by the fire, emerging as a stronger institution,” Lambert said at the time. “The elegant and brilliant Phoenix described by ancient scholars was sleek, swift and one-of-a-kind. I can think of no better description for Elon’s outstanding athletics programs.”

The Phoenix identity was officially unveiled on May 9, 2000, during a campus-wide celebration featuring a massive maroon egg that cracked open to reveal pillars of smoke. The mascot costume debuted Nov. 4, 2000, during the homecoming football game.

According to a handout card from the launch event, the Phoenix is “a perfect symbol for a school that is constantly renewing and re-creating itself.” Twenty-six years later, its newest evolution reflects a university that continues to grow while staying true to its identity.

The Fightin’ Christian, 1978-81

“I went to a game [in 1978] and I noticed they didn’t have a mascot. It was kind of boring; people were just so-so cheering. I went to the bookstore the next day and met [store manager] Buck [Bayliff], and he said, ‘Do you want to dress up as the Fightin’ Christian?’ I said OK because I wanted to do something silly. We went to a theatrical place and got a fake beard. We went to a tuxedo place and got tails and a hat. He gave me a shirt that said Elon. The next game I put all this on. … I was kind of hesitant but I ran down and started dancing around and everyone enjoyed it. One of the cheerleaders gave me the megaphone that had ‘Elon’ on it. So that’s how I came to do it.”

Scott Muthersbaugh ’06

The Phoenix, 2003-05

“There was something incredibly special about literally embodying the spirit of the school. It was more fun than it was responsibility, but the weight of what I represented was always on my mind. I appreciated the trust that came with holding the school’s reputation in my red, furry, four-fingered hands. I have my time in the suit to thank for my lifelong friendship with John and Dolores Truitt. … One evening I was the Phoenix for both the women’s and men’s basketball games, and decided to take off the suit between games and say hi. They were immediately accepting of the random, sweat-drenched college kid walking up to them, and we were great friends ever since.”

Gray Aust ’23

The Phoenix, 2019-21

“The few former Phoenix mascots had made a habit of not really leaving the cheerleaders, and I knew I wanted to be outgoing, funny and show some personality. When I first did it, it was back when I didn’t have a handler, so I would just walk around and interact with people. Whether it was taking pictures with donors in the courtside seats or going up to the Sunbrella Club and seeing people up there, I wanted to be a Phoenix that they could take a picture with and laugh before going back to watch the game. A lot of kids are also scared of mascots, so I wanted to be a mascot that was approachable and one that they could give a high-five to or give a hug. … I hope I could make them feel my passion for Elon and the passion for making Elon fans happy.”

The Current Phoenix

Anonymous, 2023-present

“The Phoenix has forced me out of my comfort zone in ways I didn’t know were possible and allowed me to make memories with so many fans, teams and athletes along the way. Being able to kick off this next era in Elon Athletics feels special and like the perfect way to celebrate not just the Phoenix, but my time representing them. Every time I put on the suit, I’m grateful I get to represent Elon in this way. My time at Elon has been the most formative and rewarding years of my life, and getting to represent the university through the Phoenix makes me feel both honored and appreciative.”

“The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch. We had our “Vs. Cancer” game this season and having a 7-year-old girl around our team who is going through a lot of tough times, it makes you reflect on something. So, when I found out about the book, I just wanted to read it. I wanted to see how I could personally look at that situation and how it would reflect on me.

What is your favorite phone app?

The onX Hunt app. In my spare time, which I don’t have much, I like to hunt. It’s an educational app that provides you with terrain, property boundaries and corridors on your property that might hold more deer than others.

If you could invite someone from history to dinner, who would it be?

Yogi Berra. I think just over time with all his funny quotes and how he kept the game fun, it would be an hour of constant laughs. His history with one-liners and the quotes he has are classic, so I think that would be an awesome night.

What is your favorite place on campus?

The first-base dugout. That’s where I have built most of my relationships here at Elon. I’ve always said the best time for me is the 30 minutes after practice with three or four guys just sitting in that dugout chopping it up. Sometimes, I’ll learn more in that dugout about our guys than I do anywhere else.

Nine hundred wins is an incredible milestone. When you think about your career at Elon, what are you proudest of? and what has kept you here all this time?

More than anything, the relationships I’ve been able to build with former players. I love that at a time where there are a lot of departures in and around college athletics, we have so many former players that have built lifelong friendships and an incredible bond to Elon Baseball. I love that they reach out after a big win or a bad loss. I love that they follow the program and support current players. Truly, it’s an extension of family. This program is special! I love this campus and I’ve been blessed to be around great people.

The $500,000 contribution from Trustee Vicky Hunt and Sam Hunt will fund strategic priorities in athletics, continuing a tradition of generous philanthropy at Elon that spans more than three decades.

The Burlington, North Carolina, couple said they are proud to invest in and the success of student-athletes, both in the classroom and in competition. Their recent gift is an effort to continue advancing Phoenix athletics under the leadership of Director of Athletics Jenn Stawley.

“We believe in the value of Elon athletics and its positive impact on the lives of our student-athletes,” the Hunts said. “Under Jenn’s leadership, the vision and plan established for athletics has elevated our program. Our plans are to continue supporting President Connie Book, Jenn Strawley and Elon in every way we can!”

Strawley thanked the Hunts for believing in the vision for Elon athletics.

“I am deeply grateful to Sam and Vicky for their long-time support of Elon athletics,” Strawley said. “Their generosity has allowed countless student-athletes to thrive both athletically and academically. I also appreciate the trust and belief they’ve shown in our vision. Their generous support of the Athletic Director’s Excellence Fund advances our priorities and continues to elevate Elon athletics.”

The impact of Vicky and Sam Hunt’s philanthropy can be seen across Elon’s campus and in the accomplishments of outstanding students.

The couple are among the university’s most generous and loyal donors, making gifts to name Hunt Atrium, a dynamic and spacious entry point to Founders Hall in the Innovation Quad, featuring open collaboration spaces and assembly areas, tiered bench seating and space for group events, guest speakers and receptions. Their gift to the IQ also endowed the Sam and Vicky Hunt Business Fellows Scholarship for top students in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business.

The Hunts also contributed $1 million to name Phoenix Atrium in Slattery Center, Elon’s future health and wellness hub, and to provide additional funding for the Sam and Vicky Hunt Odyssey Scholarship, which the couple endowed in 2017 to assist students with significant financial need, including first-generation college students.

In addition to scholarships, the Hunts have contributed generously to the Phoenix Club and Elon Academy, the university’s successful college access and success program, and advanced Elon’s iconic campus with gifts to Hunt Softball Park, Schar Center and . The couple have also made a $3 million estate gift that in the future will create an endowment to fund scholarships.

Sam Hunt is the retired chairman and CEO of Atlas Lighting Products and Hunt Electric Supply Company in Burlington. He served four terms in the N.C. House of Representatives before being named Transportation Secretary in 1993. He went on to serve as President and Chairman of the N.C. Railroad from 1996-2002. In addition to her role in their businesses, Vicky Hunt has served on Elon’s Board of Trustees since 1997 and is actively involved with charitable work in her community.

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August marked the end of summer break at �þ���, and with the close of one chapter came several exciting new beginnings. The month brought the opening of Roberts Academy at �þ���, the arrival of the Class of 2030 and the introduction of a new university mascot.

Take a look back at some of the memorable moments from August through the lenses of staff in the Office of University Communications.

Roberts Academy opens doors

The Roberts Academy at �þ���, North Carolina’s first and only university-based private school for children with dyslexia, opened its doors to its inaugural class on Tuesday, Aug. 18, marking a milestone in Elon’s efforts to transform literacy education.

The school, established through the philanthropic vision of Marjorie and Hal Roberts, will serve as a statewide and national model for structured literacy education. The Robertses have witnessed firsthand the transformative power a multisensory approach to reading education can have for children with dyslexia.

Welcome the Class of 2030

The university welcomed the Class of 2030 with Move-In Day on Aug. 21, 2026. The students arriving on campus bring a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and academic interests. Members of the incoming class come from 40 states and Washington, D.C., as well as 19 countries, including Singapore, Spain, Norway, Canada, Serbia, South Korea, China and New Zealand.

Planting roots

Surrounded by family members, faculty and staff Under the Oaks, members of the Class of 2030 and new transfer students heard messages about resilience, community and the responsibility that comes with an Elon education during New Student Convocation on Aug. 22, 2026.

At the conclusion of Convocation, students received an acorn, an Elon tradition symbolizing the beginning of their growth at the university. In four years, the Class of 2030 will be Under the Oaks again for Senior Baccalaureate, where they will receive an oak sapling.

“This enormous opportunity of an Elon education requires action on your part, a commitment to taking full advantage of all we have here,” said Elon President Connie Ledoux Book. “We invite you to a powerful journey of questions and curiosity that will shine new light and new understanding.”

“Honor matters”

�þ��� were reminded of the importance of the university’s Honor Code during the Call to Honor ceremony on Aug. 24. where the Class of 2030  committed to uphold the university’s core values of honesty, integrity, responsibility and respect.

“Honor matters,” said Emily Elrod,  assistant �þ��� professor of mathematics and statistics, who spoke during the ceremony. “To me, honor is reflected through honesty, integrity, responsibility, and respect. It matters in the classroom, in our professional relationships, and in the trust that others place in us as individuals and leaders.”

A new Phoenix rises

Elon Athletics unviled a and, with that new identity, comes a new physical mascot for the university.

The first Phoenix Five of the year is here! Each Sunday afternoon, I’ll send you a quick email with five things you need to know for the week ahead. This could include important deadlines and campus events or helpful reminders and opportunities to get involved.  My goal is simple: keep you as informed as possible with one Sunday email you can use to plan your week ahead.

With classes beginning on Tuesday, here are five things to help you start the semester off right.

Get Connected on Social Media

Social media is one of the easiest ways to stay plugged in at Elon. If you want to know what’s happening on campus in real time, here are a few Instagram accounts I recommend:

• �þ��� (main)
• Phoenix Athletics and Phoenix Phanatics
• Student Life
• Elon Dining
• Student Union Board
• Elon News Network
• HealthEU

Hypnotist

Monday, Aug. 24, 8:30-11 p.m., Alumni Gym

Join the Student Union Board (SUB) for the annual hypnotist show – a student favorite! Come ready to watch your friends (or maybe even yourself!) take the stage for an unforgettable, hilarious performance. .

Elon �þ��� Traditions – Starting this Week!

College Coffee

Tuesdays, 9:40-10:20 a.m., Alumni Gym

College Coffee is one of Elon’s most beloved traditions. Every Tuesday morning, the entire campus gathers for coffee, treats and conversation. It’s a chance to meet people, connect with faculty and staff, and hear about what’s happening around campus. If your student organization wants to host an information table at College Coffee, information on .

Numen Lumen: A Thursday Inspiration

Thursdays, 9:50-10:20 a.m., Numen Lumen Pavilion

On Thursday mornings, we pause for a moment of reflection and inspiration. You’ll hear music from student, faculty, and staff performers and reflections from members of our community. This year’s theme is and the first Numen Lumen of the year will be held this Thursday.

Getting Started with Canvas

Beginning with the Fall 2026 semester, Elon is using Canvas instead of Moodle. You’ll use it to access course materials, submit assignments, communicate with your instructors, and view your grades. Before classes begin:

• Log in to Canvas using your Elon account.
• After logging in for the first time, as part of setting up your Canvas account. Your account will not be fully functional until you do.
• Visit the for student guides, FAQs and support resources.
• Learn the basics by enrolling in the course.

When you log in, you may not see all of your Fall courses immediately. Your instructors will make courses available before or on the first day of class.

Cheer on Phoenix at First Home Football Game

Thursday, Aug. 27

Student Tailgate

2-7 p.m., Hunt B (back parking lot of the Schar Center)

Before football kickoff, get ready to ignite your game day with Phoenix spirit at the student tailgate. Parking passes are available in Student Involvement and are limited to one pass per student and three passes per student organization or group.

Elon v. Glenville State

7 p.m., Rhodes Stadium

Start off the fall semester by cheering on the Phoenix as Elon opens the football season against Glenville State. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. in Rhodes Stadium.

University Chaplain and Dean of Multifaith Engagement Rev. Kirstin Boswell opened the event with the invocation, followed by the tradition of the bell ringing by Student Government Association President Michael Swartz ’27. The bell arrived in North Carolina in 1854 on one of the first North Carolina railroad trains. It was later used at Graham College, a predecessor institution to Elon College.

During the event, three individuals with strong ties to the university were awarded the Elon Medallion, the university’s most prestigious service honor: Jim Donathan, longtime associate director of academic advising and academic support; Mary Thornton, founder and president of Harvest Table Culinary Group; and Don Grady, associate professor emeritus of cinema and television arts.

Katy Rouse, professor of economics in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business, was named the Trustee Chair for Excellence. For seventeen years, Rouse has taught Elon’s Principles of Economics and Intermediate Microeconomics courses, along with a capstone she built herself on educational disparities in the United States, earning student evaluations among the highest in her department for more than a decade.

She has personally mentored more than 30 senior and honors theses, co-authored research with �þ���s, chaired the Love School’s curriculum committee and published her �þ��� scholarship in the Journal of Economic Education.

“I truly believe that being a teacher scholar mentor at Elon is one of the best careers I’m going to have,” Rouse said. “Every day we come to work, we have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on students during one of the most pivotal points in their lives.”

Mapping the course

During her annual Opening Day address, Book reflected on Elon’s progress while looking toward a year that will include the launch of new academic initiatives, continued work surrounding artificial intelligence, the opening of the Roberts Academy and the planned merger with Queens University of Charlotte.

Book centered her remarks around the idea of a map — the markers that show where Elon has been and the guideposts that will help the university navigate what comes next. The theme was inspired by a visit this summer to Elon students participating in the Summer Opera Workshop at the Accademia Europea di Firenze. The students came together for a historic production of “The Light in the Piazza” in Florence, Italy, where the musical is set.

As part of their work, students were also tasked with creating a map of the city, something that inspired Book.

“There is something powerful in this mapmaking assignment, and it left me wondering about our collective �þ��� map,” Book said. “How would we each draw it?”

At the center of that map, Book said, is Elon’s mission. She highlighted several markers of progress during the past year, including the Odyssey Program surpassing 300 scholarships, record participation in �þ��� research, strong Fulbright success and new academic programs, including cybersecurity, Clinical Mental Health Counseling and the Charlotte PA program. She also celebrated the upcoming launch of the School of Engineering and Computing under inaugural Dean John Walz and the growth of the university’s nursing program.

Mapping new territory (together)

On Tuesday, Aug. 18, the first students of the Roberts Academy at �þ��� will arrive at the school’s temporary home in Trollinger House. The school will be the state’s only university-based private school for children with dyslexia. Book described the academy and the Center for Dyslexia and Engaged Learning as an opportunity that “will change lives from day one.”

Among the most significant new territory is Elon’s planned merger with Queens University of Charlotte. Book noted that the institutions received accreditation approval this summer to proceed with their merger, with a single Board of Trustees now overseeing both universities. Sixteen administrative units are also becoming shared teams supporting the two campuses, while a federal review of the merger is expected to take 18 to 24 months.

Megan Isaac, professor of English, and Senior Vice President for Advancement and External Affairs Jim Piatt gave brief updates on the merger as part of the SOAR Strategic Planning Committee.

“Our two institutions will be stronger together, will better serve students together, and will have a brighter future together,” Book said. “And now, we are working to build that vision together, to grow opportunity to advance learning — together.”

Mapping a new look

Athletics Director Jennifer Strawley was also invited to the stage to announce a for the university’s athletics program, which had what Book called a “formidable year,” with seven Elon teams, the most in the university’s history, winning conference titles. A new physical mascot will be unveiled at the first College Coffee of the academic year on Aug. 25.

“The new Phoenix wears a gold sweater with a monogram ‘E,’ paying tribute to our first mascot, the Fighting Christian,” Strawley said. “The focused expression conveys the determination, confidence and purpose that defines our university community. The Phoenix continues to be fueled by the flames, symbolizing our rebuild from the ashes, and capturing the spirit and resilience of the Elon community.”

Book acknowledged that the changing higher education landscape brings challenges, from enrollment pressures and federal regulations to declining public confidence. But she reminded faculty and staff that adapting to change has long been part of Elon’s history.

“I understand change can be daunting. Shifting national headwinds are challenging higher education,” Book said. “Fortunately for us, Elon has never succeeded by standing still. We’ve joined together, developed new strategies and guided by our mission — built the number one institution for engaged learning and student success.”

She closed by returning to the journey ahead, and the role faculty and staff play in shaping the lives of Elon students.

“It is not simply education; it is a journey of human transformation,” Book said. “Thank you for the everyday commitment, kindness and integrity that are our enduring guideposts.”