HICKORY, N.C. — Lenoir-Rhyne University is carving out a permanent home for its mascot prior to this weekend's home football game.
The university is turning the stump of a red oak tree into its bear mascot.
Carvers will spend the next few days working on the 15-foot tall bear.
Lenoir-Rhyne University's football team is undefeated and has already won the South Atlantic Conference championship.
"I'm pumped. I'm excited as heck. This will be here a long time. It is a solid piece of wood, a beautiful piece of wood," said carver Jason Smathers.
Last year, the Bears went all the way to the NCAA Division II title game before losing to Northwest Missouri State.
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