Lakers will become Sawyers on Saturday

The Laker basketball teams will become the Sawyers for a day when both teams host Michigan Tech on Saturday, February 23.

The uniforms worn by the women's and men's teams, logos and mascots will feature the Sawyers for the 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. games at the Fieldhouse Arena.

Keri Becker, director of athletics, said the fauxback game is a nod to Grand Valley's history.

"We love Louie the Laker, but the logo and images created for these games recall a time in the university's history before Grand Valley established men's and women's basketball teams," Becker said.

What is a Sawyer? A sawyer is a lumberjack, someone who saws wood.

Why the Sawyers? In 1965, Grand Valley leaders asked the public to help choose a mascot; students would vote from six final names — Bruisers, Warriors, Bluejays, Ottawas, Archers and Voyagers. A late write-in vote, Lakers, was submitted by student Annie Kate McDonald. The Lakers won by 11 votes. In 1969, there was a push by students to change the mascot and proposed names included Sawyers. By that year, Grand Valley's eight athletic teams had uniforms printed with "Lakers" and support for the name change died down.

Sawyers T-shirts and other merchandise will be available to purchase.

Tickets can be purchased online at gvsulakers.com. The website also includes details about a student contest to become a Sawyer for a day.