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Over the years, Kennesaw State has carved a unique niche for themselves with fun and interesting traditions regarding their athletic programs. Some are popular with the team and others are fun events used to involve the fans in the not only the action on the field but they welcome all the fans to be a part of the Kennesaw State athletic family

Soccer
Although the soccer program is relatively new at Kennesaw State, their following is one of the strongest in the athletic program. With crowds nearly always approaching close to one-thousand the KSU Soccer Complex is the place to be in the fall. In an attempt to get closer to the fans, especially youth patrons, the Owls adopted a policy, now a tradition, of throwing out t-shirts after the Owls score.

Softball
What would a softball game at Kennesaw State be without two of the strongest pre-game traditions booming through the public address system. For nearly ten years, as the lineup cards are exchanged at home plate only one song is played, a down-home tradition of Yabba-Dabba Doo the King is Gone and So Are You by George Jones. The second tradition is a complete turn of the dial. When the Owls take the field for the top of the first inning they are greeting by James Brown and his classic Dr. Feelgood. The high-energy song is narrated along with the starting lineup by legendary voice of the Owls Grant Case. The easy, comforting KSU Public Address announcer has been the sound of Owl Field since 1993. The echo chant, with the introduction of each player, the fans in attendance echo the public address announcer with a four-syllable chant of the previous player's name accompanied by a five-clap finale.

Names, Colors and Logos
Kennesaw State University began intercollegiate athletics in the 1982-83 season with women's basketball. The Owl mascot is a symbol of tenacity and intelligence. This combination is one which the university proudly identifies with. In respect to the state's two longest established collegiate institutions, Georgia and Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State respectfully combined a gold like Georgia Tech with the black of Georgia for the Owls black and gold colors.

The Owls have a number of official logos in use for the athletic department. The traditional "Owls" with the an Owl face representing the "O" and an Owl face by itself are currently used as the primary athletic logo.

In 1996 Mr. Bill Malone and current athletic director Dr. Dave Waples designed "Scrappy" the mascot, battle-ready bird wearing sneakers and an Owls jersey whose "thumbs up" pose signifies the success of Kennesaw State athletics.

As a long-standing tradition, each year one Kennesaw State student earns the honor of being named Scrappy and gets to don the mascot uniform for select home games.

Finally, there is the logo of an owl in flight called "Fighting Owl" that was used by the school as the primary logo before Scrappy was born.

Mascot
Whenever you are on campus and at an athletic event you will be sure to see Kennesaw State's energetic and fan friendly mascot, Scrappy.

Height: 5'10"
Weight: 175
Wingspan: 6'0"
Hometown: Owlberta
Resides: Kennesaw State National Battlefield
Favorite Cartoon: Fat Owlbert
Favorite Group/Band: Winger and Night Ranger, Owl B. Sure
Favorite Mascot: That Air Force Falcon is pretty hot

School Song
Kennesaw State is quite proud of it's school song as it's lyrics were written by a former student, Cynthia Parks, in 1982. The song, predominately featured at all Kennesaw State graduation ceremonies, has been one of the longest and richest traditions at KSU.

The Owls maintain a strong bond with the school song, an 18th century German melody named Gaudeamus Igitur. The song, which translated from its original Latin means "let us rejoice therefore" is posted in the athletic department and is located in print in all of Kennesaw State's athletic publications.

"Gaudeamus Igitur" (Let Us rejoice Therefore)
Anonymous, 18th Century German Melody
Lyrics by Cynthia Parks, KSU (1982)

Kennesaw, dear Kennesaw,
Nestled in the Georgia pines,
What a special place you hold,
Treasured in this heart of mine.
For the candles you set burning,
Lighting paths of love and learning,
For the gifts you have given me,
Kennesaw, I will cherish thee.

Kennesaw, dear Kennesaw,
Fairest of the Southland's fame,
Sons and daughters gathered here,
Stand to praise thy lovely name.
For the friendships that were made here,
For the dreams we dared to dream here,
Kennesaw, we will cherish thee,
Kennesaw, we will cherish thee.