MONROE, La. -- National Aviation Day is recognized every year on the 19th of August to coincide with the birthday of Orville Wright, who along with his brother, Wilbur, used a biplane model design to build the Wright Flyer, the first successful airplane in history. There are many reasons to acknowledge our school's mascot, the Warhawks, on National Aviation Day, such as our transition from the Indians to the Warhawks, the history of the mascot name and where it came from, and lastly our mascot “Ace, the Red-Tailed Hawk.”
On January 30, 2006, ULM retired their 75-year-old Indian mascot. The NCAA established new guidelines and restrictions against the usage of American Indian themed mascots and even nicknames. The NCAA considered such monikers and other related nicknames to be both “hostile and abusive.” ULM opened a poll that went through to February 28, 2006 for new mascot suggestions. There were three finalists after a lengthy search: Warhawks, Bayou Gators and Bayou Hawks. After votes and finalization, on April 5, 2006 the Warhawk was announced to be the new school mascot. ULM remains the only Division I program to sport that nickname and is also just one of four institutions spanning three NCAA divisions and the NAIA to hold that distinction.
Along with the mascot comes great history that many may not know about. The Warhawk honors Maj. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault and his air unit the Curtis P-40 Warhawks otherwise known as the Flying Tigers. Maj. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault was born September 6, 1893 in Commerce, Texas. He attended Louisiana State University where he underwent ROTC training and also graduated from Officer School. He was faced with poor health issues (deafness and chronic bronchitis) which led to his resignation on April 30, 1937. Maj. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault died of lung cancer on July 27, 1958 and is buried in Section 2 of Arlington National Cemetery. His outstanding air unit was first the Warhawks alone and all volunteer service which flew in china prior to the U.S. entering World War II. After entering the air unit expanded after Maj. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault was awarded command of all Allied Air Forces in the Far East. The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter jet was an American build, single engine, single-seat that excelled at both air and ground attack.
After utilizing the Curtis P-40 Warhawk fighter jet, ULM decided to use the red-tailed hawk to coincide with the mascot name the Warhawks giving birth to your one and only “Ace the Red-tailed Hawk!” The red-tailed hawk, otherwise known as the “red hawk” or “buzzed hawk,” is known for its amazing acrobatic soaring ability and its preying on other animals. These birds of prey are very strategic animals when it comes down to hunting and are also very elegant with their sequence of aerial acrobatics.
Thanks to the Wright Brothers and their biplane model invention, we are given the chance to recognize and honor others and their accomplishments around the world on National Aviation Day. In doing so, it is always good to recognize and acknowledge history in our own University and culture. Today on August 19, 2015 National Aviation Day we would like to pay tribute to Maj. Gen. Claire Lee Chennault and his air unit the Curtis P-40 Warhawks and recognized and honor them with mascot name here at ULM because of their hard fought battle in World War II throughout the Far East.
