New Mexico State guns for new look.

A MAKEOVER FOR NEW MEXICO STATE University's athletic mascot, Pete--who formerly carried a pistol but now grips a lasso--is causing a bit of a wrangle. A lot of publicity has surrounded the accessory switch, says Associate Athletics Director Sean Johnson. Complaints seem to stem from "the whole issue of the perceived political correctness stance that the university took. But that has nothing to do with the decision we made," he contends.

Even the National Rifle Association tried to smoke out the truth from Johnson on their Sirius Satellite Radio program. "They just wanted to get our side of the story," he says, adding that the segment was non-confrontational.

Perhaps the heat that schools with Native American mascots have gotten this year is contributing to the PC theory.

But the real issue was simple, Johnson says. Oklahoma State University's own Pistol Pete, well known nationally, bears an uncanny resemblance to NMSU's old Pete.

"We wanted something that reflected the Western heritage of southern New Mexico," Johnson explains--and a mascot with its own identity.

Pete's fresh took coincides with a university effort to rebrand itself. "We have new leadership, new [promotional] materials, and we're entering a new athletic conference," says Maureen Howard, director of university communications. Johnson adds, "We have a great university. What we're trying to do is get that message out all over the country."