Given the recent tornado season and the damage it has caused, it may be advisable to change to Concordia University mascot from Vortex the Tornado to something else. The December 10-11, seventy tornadoes wreaked havoc across the mid-west. This resulted in 90 deaths, over 126 injuries, and many offices and homes suffered damage, some of which were reduced to rubble. With so much damage caused by tornadoes, having it as our mascot may be disingenuous to continue having a tornado represent our university. 

Additionally, Concordia recently signed a deal with Nike. With this new deal, it  means that the bookstore will have to already get rid of all of it's Under Armour merchandise. Thus, we will be receiving new merchandise soon, so the cost of replacing all the old mascot merchandise with the new mascot merchandise will already be getting covered. Additionally, Concordia is already planning on expanding its campus. With both of these events occurring, now is the only time to change the mascot.

There are other mascots that can be chosen instead of the tornado that make more sense for Concordia. Concordia is on a beautiful nature reserve, with two endangered species that would make good mascots; the Jollyville Plateau Salamander and Golden-Cheeked Warbler. We also maintain Friesenhahn Cave where Mammoth and Saber Tooth fossils have been found, which would both make great mascots. Martin Luther hammered his ideals to the wall of a church, the Hammers would also be a good mascot. These are only suggestions though, the student body should make the choice.