What is a Samson?  

After years of hearing what is a Samson, Gogebic Community College put a team together comprised of staff, faculty, administration, board members, foundation and the community to create an image behind the name. After months of contemplation and collaboration while working alongside Interact Communications of La Crosse, WI, Gogebic Community College unveiled its new mascot, a large white snow beast type creature called Sam, last Wednesday at halftime of the men’s basketball game against Bay College. 

The introduction of the new mascot included the following: Samsons are tenacious creatures who roam the dense forest of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Surviving for ages in a harsh climate, Samsons are resilient and a force to be reckoned with. They live in communities that embrace diversity and can often be found rallying around each other when the need arises. Once believed to be mythical, Samsons have slowly been coming out of the woods and showing their faces to those who believe. Sam is the BOLDEST of all the Samsons, which is why Gogebic Community College is now Sam’s home. Sam loves to learn and be around students who have similar traits – ruggedness, adaptability, ferocity, and courage. Until now, shyness kept Sam in the shadows, but learning to make the most of challenges, utilizing teamwork principles when accomplishing tasks, and honoring mental health and wellness helped Sam’s confidence be revealed.

The name Samson indicates strength and resilience as shown in the bible story about Samson. The Samson's name is derived from their coach, Sam Dubow, back in the 1940s.  A reporter from the Duluth News Tribune wrote an article about the team referencing the boys as Sam's sons. The name stuck and the GCC teams since have been known as the Samsons. 

Special thanks to the GCC Foundation for predominantly funding this major initiative which will create excitement at events throughout the year.