ISSUED: 14 November 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — After nearly a decade of serving as Shepherd University’s live mascot, J.C. the Ram has officially retired.
Students, faculty, and staff celebrated J.C.’s career with a party in front of the Scarborough Library on November 13.
J.C. got lots of attention, which he loves according to Michelle Lawson, who has cared for him since he was four months old.
“J.C. is a crowd-pleaser,” Lawson said. “He loves walking through all of the tailgaters on game days, taking selfies and group pictures, standing on the sideline as the players and coaches came by, some rubbing his horns for luck, others smiling.”
Lawson called J.C.’s retirement bittersweet for her and all of his fans.
“I know that I will miss the times that we came here,” she said. “Everyone welcomed J.C. with open arms every time. They loved having him here as much as he loved coming here.”
Lawson said J.C. will retire to the farm where he lives with Lulu, who Lawson affectionately refers to as J.C.’s wife.
“She [Lulu] is also a Dorset Ewe with small horns, and she adores J.C. They have a beautiful area in the spring and summer under a very large tree that gives the best shade on the farm.”
Anyone who missed the party or wants to keep up on J.C.’s retirement can do so via his page on the Shepherd University website.
Those looking to make J.C.’s retirement a little sweeter can also donate on the website, where donations will go towards his care!
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