Mascots are meant to embody the people of the region and school it represents, but few mascots take that to heart like the Air Force Falcons.
A strong symbol for one of the nation’s five service academies, what is the history behind the Air Force Academy Falcons mascot?
Who (or What) Is the Falcons’ Mascot?
A rare live mascot in modern college football, the current official mascot for the Air Force Academy is a white female gyrfalcon named Nova.
Nova was introduced in 2020, taking over for another white gyrfalcon, Aurora, who served as the school’s official falcon for 23 years.
Soaring through the air in front of thousands of fans at football games, Nova interacts with fans at sporting venues, military and community events, and Cadet Wing parades.
In addition to serving as an ambassador for the Air Force Academy and serving as a symbol of pride for its cadets, Nova’s presence is meant to educate the public on the importance of falcons. The school even has a dedicated team of cadet falconers to take care of and train the birds
Why Is Falcon the Mascot?
The first class at the Air Force Academy, the class of 1959, chose the falcon as the school’s symbolic representative, believing it best characterized the Air Force’s combat role as a predatory bird that attacks from the sky.
Fast, powerful, graceful, courageous, alert, and regal were some of the characteristics leading to the Falcons’ selection.
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Mach 1, referring to the speed of sound, was the name of the first live falcon mascot and is technically still the official mascot name, even though each bird gets a personalized moniker.
Falconry is a popular extracurricular activity offered by the Air Force Academy. A select few cadets are bestowed the honor of caring for the school’s mascot, Nova. Although Nova is the official mascot, several other falcons are harbored through the program.
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