PHSC Mascot ‘Retiring;’ School Seeks Successor

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL – After 23 years of service, Conquor the Conquistador is retiring as the mascot of Pasco-Hernando State College.

The sword-wielding mascot has represented the school at sporting events since 1993. Steve Winterling, PHSC’s athletic director and head baseball coach, said Conquor is officially laying down his sword and abandoning his swashbuckling ways.

“Everyone knows that mascots don’t communicate through spoken words,” WInterling said. “However, since I happen to be fluent in Mascot, Conquor has selected me to serve as his official spokesman. He is eager to travel the world, spend quality time with family and friends and pursue hobbies such as fishing and golfing.”

With Winterling’s assistance, Conquor announced his retirement and kicked off a search for his replacement at a college-wide employee event last month. The school will honor Conquor for his many years of service with a retirement celebration during its annual Athletics Award Ceremony in April.

“PHSC has undergone a tremendous transformation in recent years,” said Bob Bade, vice president of student affairs and enrollment management at PHSC. “We opened our new Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, became a state college offering bachelor’s degrees and transitioned to a new administration. We are expanding our student base and moving forward with new programs and a bold vision for the future. The time seems right to honor Conquor’s request to hang up his helmet and to select a new mascot to represent our athletic programs, our student population and a new era at PHSC.”

PHSC students, faculty, staff, alumni and the community are invited to participate in the new mascot selection process. Participants can rank the five suggestions the school has offered (Cubs, Ranchers, Rangers, Stars and Suns) or write in an idea on the school’s website at https://phsc.edu/mascot. Submissions will be accepted through Saturday, Dec. 31.

Once the new mascot is selected and approved, a competition will be held for students to name the new mascot. The school’s colors will remain its traditional black and gold.

Conquor’s successor will be introduced during the college’s fall Welcome Week, beginning Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. The upcoming academic year also marks PHSC’s 45th anniversary. The Conquistadors has been the school’s nickname since the school opened in 1972.

Image courtesy of Pasco Hernando State College.