Moraine Valley Community College unveiled its new mascot, Cy, to the college and community at the beginning of the fall semester.
Cy, a coyote sporting a Moraine Valley Cyclones jersey and green gym shoes, embodies the fun and competitive spirit of Cyclones athletics, pays homage to the student body and reflects the native population of coyotes that inhabit the Palos Forest Preserves surrounding the college campus.
The mascot selection process was led by Moraine Valley’s Marketing and Communications Department to engage students and connect with the community. It required detailed research to ensure its design – from fur color and length, to tail position and ear size – accurately portrayed coyotes native to northern Illinois. Details, including the mascot’s eye color, uniform and shoes, match Moraine Valley’s team colors while Cy’s jersey displays the college’s founding year – 1967.
“We wanted to create a realistic mascot that is fierce but not scary, friendly but not goofy. I am really happy with our Cy, and I have been especially thrilled by the amazing response to him from everyone on campus,” said Jessica Crotty, chief marketing and communications officer at Moraine Valley. “Like many universities and professional sports teams, our college nickname and mascot do not match, but it’s actually more common than you might realize. We will continue to be the Moraine Valley Cyclones with a coyote mascot.”
Cy’s arrival on campus coincides with the 50th anniversary of the college’s Athletics Program in fall 2026 and the college’s 60th anniversary in spring 2027. Athletics at the college began with men’s basketball competing as the Running Rebels in 1976. In 1982, sports teams were renamed the Marauders prior to a 1997 renaming contest that yielded Cyclones as the top choice. Over the last half-century, the Moraine Valley Athletics Program has grown to 12 intercollegiate sports teams.
“Cy welcomes the next chapter in the Moraine Valley Cyclones legacy,” said Dr. Pamela J. Haney, college president. “We’ve created a mascot that reflects the competitive nature of our teams and inspires our community to be even more excited about the amazing things happening on our campus. I am delighted to see the positive response of our students to Cy’s arrival.”
To see a full schedule of upcoming Athletics events, visit mvcyclones.com. To have Cy attend a community event, email Maria Budz at budzm33@morainevalley.edu or call (708) 974-5376.
For news media inquiries, contact Madisson Younglove, Moraine Valley assistant director of Communications, at (708) 974-5281 or younglovem2@morainevalley.edu.
