CCSU Welcomes Kizer the Blue Devil to the Family

The Central Connecticut Athletics Department announced the new official name of the Blue Devil mascot on Saturday, Sept. 3, at halftime of a 35-21 home football victory over Southern Connecticut.  Kizer the Blue Devil was welcomed into the CCSU family in front of a crowd of over 4,000 fans at Arute Field.

Sept. 3 Football Photo Gallery

On Aug. 10, 2011, Central Connecticut launched a new athletics brand, along with a new Blue Devil mascot.  During the ceremony a new mascot uniform was presented to a crowd of over 300 in attendance.  But when the Blue Devil made his first appearance, he was without a name.

Aug. 10 Logo Launch Photo Gallery

A contest was run on the new CCSUBlueDevils.com, and fans, students and staff all had the chance to submit their new name for the Blue Devils.  Over 300 submissions were registered online, with over 250 unique names for the new Blue Devil. 

In the end, it was a name from the past that was chosen: Kizer the Blue Devil.  A committee of CCSU staff and student-athletes helped pick the name, which honors the late Harrison Kaiser, the “Father of CCSU Athletics”.  The name was submitted by a CCSU staff member.

Kaiser was school’s first chairman of physical education department and later served as the athletics director for the college.  He coached several sports for the Blue Devils, including baseball, basketball, football and track and field.  In nine seasons as football coach he won 63 percent of his games, the third-best percentage in school history.  He won a total of 30 games. 

He was a member of the first CCSU Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame in 1979.  He was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1958.  Kaiser is commonly referred to as the “Father of CCSU Athletics”, and the building that houses the athletics department bears his name (Harrison J. Kaiser Hall).  Kaiser was a member of the athletics department for almost 30 years.

“This is a great way for us to honor someone who got it all started for the Blue Devils,” Director of Athletics Paul Schlickmann said.  “Harrison J. Kaiser is a name synonymous with CCSU athletics, it is only appropriate that the Blue Devil now bears his name.  Every student-athlete who competes for CCSU is familiar with Harrison Kaiser.  This is a great way to connect our past, present and future.”

The Harrison J. Kaiser Alumni Service Award is given to a CCSU alumnus/alumna who participated in intercollegiate athletics at CCSU and who, since graduation, has distinguished himself or herself and the University by his/her accomplishments and service.  The award is given each year during the Alumni Athletics Hall of Fame ceremonies.

Kizer the Blue Devil will make regular appearances at all CCSU games, both home and away.  He will also be very active in the community.  A group of 3-4 students will rotate as Kizer throughout the year.

If you are interested in having Kizer attend one of your events, please call (860) 832-3072.