Mascots are believed to bring good luck, especially to athletic teams. Nearly every college and university has a mascot. The University of Victoria is home to Thunder, the muscular Vike with a blue tunic and heart of gold. Thunder was re-introduced to the world today,Sept. 8, at UVic's New Student Welcome. Showing off his brand new glowing look, Thunder is mean and lean to kick off the 2015-16 school year! He got fit in UVic's new Centre for Athletics, Recreation and Special Abilities (CARSA) this summer with his new Vikes All-In pass. He was lifting weights, using the Spin Studio, doing yoga once a week and was all over the Peninsula Co-op Climbing Wall. Rumor has it he was even on a Vikes Intramurals soccer team.
 
The unveiling of the new Thunder was one for the ages. Introduced by theVikes Director of Athletics and Recreation, Clint Hamilton, Thunder came roaring onto the stage in front of over 3,000 cheering new UVic students in the CARSA Performance Gym as the Vikes Band played Thunder's theme song, Thunderstruck by AC/DC. Thunder brought the energy in the gym to a new level. He teamed up with Vikes Nation Ambassadors, the Vikes Cheer Team, and Varsity Athletes to bring the house down as the group scattered throughout the arena tossing t-shirts and prizes to the deafening crowd. Students were jumping out of their seats for the Vikes Nation gear and catch a glimpse of the new mascot. After a couple minutes of mayhem in CARSA, the Vikes Band finished up the song and the Pep Rally concluded. Everyone took their seat in preparation to exit. With a new energy and a pep in their step, the new students started on their department tour for the day. An invigorated sense of school pride no doubt running through them.
 
Make sure to say hi to our new Thunder in person on Sept. 11th at ThunderFest. This event provides the UVic student body a chance to kick off the varsity athletic season, gain information about campus recreation opportunities and to find out the various ways of getting active and involved through Vikes Nation. The afternoon is intended for all students, staff and faculty members of the campus community. The evening is capped off by the Vikes men's soccer home-opener at 7:15pm at Centennial Stadium.

Come see Thunder shoot his t-shirt cannon, amp up the crowd, and be a part of the Vikes Nation atmosphere along with thousands of cheering UVic students!
 
 Stay tuned for a full history of Thunder including where the name came from, which legendary mascots paved the way for our new Thunder, stories from the past, and more!