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An eight-feet tall bronze statue of a bobcat, the mascot of Quinnipiac and namesake of all its Division I athletics teams, was unveiled outside the TD Banknorth Sports Center Jan. 27.
The statue, which now greets visitors at the $52-million sports center, was commissioned from award-winning Montana wildlife sculptor J.C. Dye, one of the country`s better-known Western artisans, whose work is exhibited in galleries, museums and on public land.
Quinnipiac President John L. Lahey and University benefactors Herbert Pearce and Martha Wood saw Dye`s work in an art gallery in Scottsdale, Ariz., and were immediately impressed with its detail and quality. They especially appreciated Dye`s "Old Man" series of small wildlife bronzes, as well as the monumental piece that serves as a gateway to Casper, Wyo., and is the largest statue in that state.
The statue, which now greets visitors at the $52-million sports center, was commissioned from award-winning Montana wildlife sculptor J.C. Dye, one of the country`s better-known Western artisans, whose work is exhibited in galleries, museums and on public land.
Quinnipiac President John L. Lahey and University benefactors Herbert Pearce and Martha Wood saw Dye`s work in an art gallery in Scottsdale, Ariz., and were immediately impressed with its detail and quality. They especially appreciated Dye`s "Old Man" series of small wildlife bronzes, as well as the monumental piece that serves as a gateway to Casper, Wyo., and is the largest statue in that state.
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"After meeting J.C., it was apparent that he was the right person to commission for this work. He possesses great talent and quickly understood the specific requirements of this project," said Lynn Bushnell, vice president for public affairs. "He worked with us every step of the way to create this handsome, permanent piece of art that will always grace our new sports center."
An outdoorsman who spent his life as a rancher and cowboy, Dye draws on that experience to create sculptures capturing the raw spirit of nature.
Dye spent five months creating the bobcat monument, first studying and sketching live bobcats at a nature preserve, then molding the clay before finally casting the bronze.
The completed statue is 14 feet long excluding the tail, 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide. It`s four times the size of a real bobcat and sits on a 28-ton boulder outside the TD Banknorth Sports Center, welcoming the fans of the University`s men`s and women`s ice hockey and basketball teams.
An outdoorsman who spent his life as a rancher and cowboy, Dye draws on that experience to create sculptures capturing the raw spirit of nature.
Dye spent five months creating the bobcat monument, first studying and sketching live bobcats at a nature preserve, then molding the clay before finally casting the bronze.
The completed statue is 14 feet long excluding the tail, 8 feet tall and 5 feet wide. It`s four times the size of a real bobcat and sits on a 28-ton boulder outside the TD Banknorth Sports Center, welcoming the fans of the University`s men`s and women`s ice hockey and basketball teams.
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A plaque on the monument invites visitors to take part in a brand new ritual – rubbing the bobcat`s paw for good luck. A legend devised by Quinnipiac students pairs the ancient Native American spirit Hobbamock (whom the nearby Sleeping Giant mountain is said to represent), with a ferocious bobcat who was spared the sleeping curse and now watches over the University.
"J.C. Dye has not only captured the natural beauty of the bobcat, but everything it represents to Quinnipiac as its mascot. Our bobcat is a symbol of pride, strength, honor and intelligence," Bushnell said. "All those qualities shine through beautifully in J.C.`s handsome sculpture. We are so very fortunate to welcome it as a permanent part of our University landscape."
The TD Banknorth Sports Center is a new state-of-the-art facility located on the York Hill Campus featuring separate arenas for Quinnipiac`s NCAA Division I men`s and women`s basketball and hockey programs. The 180,000-square-foot facility was dedicated on Saturday, Jan. 27, and seats 3,570 and 3,286 for basketball and hockey events, respectively. The two arenas at the TD Banknorth Sports Center are connected by a three-story structure featuring a common lobby and ticket box office, a premier university club, administrative and team offices, professional-style locker rooms with student-athlete lounges, conference and meeting rooms, athletic training and equipment rooms, and a strength and conditioning center.
"J.C. Dye has not only captured the natural beauty of the bobcat, but everything it represents to Quinnipiac as its mascot. Our bobcat is a symbol of pride, strength, honor and intelligence," Bushnell said. "All those qualities shine through beautifully in J.C.`s handsome sculpture. We are so very fortunate to welcome it as a permanent part of our University landscape."
The TD Banknorth Sports Center is a new state-of-the-art facility located on the York Hill Campus featuring separate arenas for Quinnipiac`s NCAA Division I men`s and women`s basketball and hockey programs. The 180,000-square-foot facility was dedicated on Saturday, Jan. 27, and seats 3,570 and 3,286 for basketball and hockey events, respectively. The two arenas at the TD Banknorth Sports Center are connected by a three-story structure featuring a common lobby and ticket box office, a premier university club, administrative and team offices, professional-style locker rooms with student-athlete lounges, conference and meeting rooms, athletic training and equipment rooms, and a strength and conditioning center.