NOOOO!

GW to phase out hippo mascot

The hippo, the University's unofficial mascot for almost a decade, is set to become a footnote in GW history.

Administrators said Wednesday that the hippo - made popular by former University President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg - is being phased out of merchandise and University events for legal and branding reasons. GW will continue to be represented by its other mascots, George and Big George.

"We are trying to get better brand recognition in the national collegiate market as GW," said John Och, the University coordinator for licensing and trademarks. "The hippo is not a registered mascot and it's better for us to put forward one unified brand."