GUST introduces Gus the mascot
Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) yesterday officially unveiled its new university mascot during a festive celebration. Attending the event, university students, faculty, and staff were all anxious to finally meet Gus for the first time. The mascot, Gus, is representing GUST’s athletics teams in their competitions as of this academic year. The new mascot was introduced during an entertainment-driven event, where those in attendance participated in a unique activity. Students, staff, and faculty were asked to post pictures on their personal social media accounts using the hashtag #GUSTFALCONS.
Published photos were then printed and pinned to a large mosaic board placed at the center of the campus, resulting in a grand picture of Gus the mascot. Attendees also had the chance to admire a real life falcon up close. GUST President, Prof Donald Bates, said, “The falcon mascot is the culmination of an enthusiastic adventure initiated by our students, athletes, and staff, upon the request of our university’s leaders. It reflects the sense of belonging and loyalty among our university’s community, and will represent our drive and determination for victory and achievement.”
Gus the mascot was officially announced in September 2017. He has been selected and designed fully by the university, and his name chosen by the university’s students, staff and faculty through a submission and voting process which ended last week. The Athletics Department at GUST coaches six different teams for both male and female athletes, including: basketball, volleyball, football, squash, tennis, and table tennis. All teams have designated experienced coaches to ensure that the athletes’ talents are honed and developed.
Over the years, GUST’s athletics teams have been competing, and winning, local and international competitions. GUST’s women’s football team triumphed and won first place at the annual University Athletics Association of Kuwait (UAAK) championship last year. This comes as the second UAAK football title win for GUST’s women in three years. While the GUST men’s football team attended and won 1st place at the 2017 Belgrade International University Sports Tournament (BeST) in Belgrade, Serbia.
The tournament brought together 17 different universities from across Europe, Russia, Asia, and the Middle East to compete at an international level, experience different cultures, and forge international friendships. The university is participating again at BeST this year with three teams, and Gus will be there to cheer them on. GUST is known locally and regionally for its state of the art sports facilities, which include a fully equipped gym , swimming pool, squash courts, basketball court, and FIFA-accredited outdoor soccer field.