Samson the Lion

Vanguard changed nicknames in 1999 from the Vanguards to the Lions after a student vote. Samson arrived at VU at some point in 2007 and has been on campus ever since, making the Pit (our gym until 2022) his home. He cheered on all VU sports, watching both basketball teams win an NAIA National Title, as well as plenty of GSAC titles. Samson originally reflected the more wavey lion head logo the school had but, along with the athletic department update to the current lion had logo, Samson received a new, more real looking head in 2013 (the current look, video here, https://vimeo.com/53641293 ).

Samson won the inaugural GSAC mascot challenge in 2018. He also was voted the champion of the Block/Frisco Mo NAIA Men’s Volleyball Mascot Challenge in 2020.