Susquehanna mascot

Susquehanna University revealed its new mascot on Saturday.

(Submitted)

Susquehanna University revealed its new mascot on Saturday.

After a six-month selection process that included thousands of votes, Susquehanna University has a new mascot.

The Selinsgrove school chose River Hawks to be the new name splashed across team jerseys and college sweatshirts.

Susquehanna made the announcement Saturday afternoon during a campus event.

The university in October announced it wanted to do away with its old mascot - the Crusader.

While the former moniker was first used in the 1920s by a Philadelphia sports writer, who described the school's crusade to bring integrity to intercollegiate athletics, critics said there were negative connotations associated with medieval Crusaders who used violence in the name of religion.

University trustees in October voted to get a new mascot and the school president formed a committee to begin the search.

Several members of the university community had a role in the selection process: alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends.

Nearly 5,000 votes chose the River Hawks over the Phoenix and Bobcats, according to a news release.

River Hawks are large birds that are currently rare in the state, with 150 active nests along the Susquehanna, Delaware, Ohio and Beaver rivers.

The new mascot is being designed and will be unveiled the weekend of Sept. 9, when the university celebrates homecoming.