Swoop gets some competition as mascot

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Apparently 'Swoop' wasn't enough of a mascot for the Utah Utes, they needed a little 'Storm,' too. The Utes are partnering with Tracy Aviary to use a 6-year-old red-tailed hawk named Storm to make appearances at Utah athletic events. Already he has made appearances before Utah's two home football games. His role with the Utes is a bit more glamourous than some he has had in the past, such as working as a falconer's hunting bird and performing as a show bird at fairs and festivals. "This gives us the unique opportunity to introduce the fascinating world of birds to audiences with which we've not been previously connected," said Bruce Thompson, Tracy Aviary's Director of Education. "To do it with a bird as fascinating as the red-tailed hawk is likely to increase interest in birds and conservation efforts."