<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617133181087.jpeg" alt="NCK Tech President Eric Burks holds the college's new mascot with board members Dale Montgomery, Bob Becker and Lance Smith." />
 <figcaption>NCK Tech President Eric Burks holds the college's new mascot with board members Dale Montgomery, Bob Becker and Lance Smith.</figcaption>
 </figure>By CRISTINA JANNEY Hays Post<a href="https://ncktc.edu/">NCK Tech</a> has branded themselves the Trailblazers and their new mascot is a bull.The technical college plans to have a contest among the students to name the blue bull. A mascot costume is on order.NCK President Eric Burks announced the new mascot at a press conference Tuesday morning in Hays and subsequently on the Beloit campus."We are happy to be Trailblazers," Burks said. "It just made sense since when you think of us being the first technical in the state of Kansas."<figure>
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 </figure>NCK Tech opened with 150 students in 1964. The Hays program was opened in 1973.The founders of the college where trying to find ways to keep youth in Beloit, where NCK Tech's sister campus is located."NCK Tech was built by people who were not afraid to stand out from the crowd," Burks said in <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0yCGE63YNQ">a pre-recorded video</a> shared with students and the public Tuesday.Burks continued to explain the connection between the new mascot and the college's history and mission."Trailblazers lead the way," he said. "They show their grit. They work hard and are resilient. NCK Tech Trailblazers are leaders on campus and within their respective industries."Given our rich history, identifying ourselves as Trailblazers was a clear, easy fit," Burks said. "However, choosing an image to personify and encompass all that a Trailblazer represents was a challenge.&nbsp;<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/3/1617134176951.jpeg" alt="NCK Tech President Eric Burks with Chandra Feldman, director of marketing, as the college announces its new mascot, the Trailblazers. Feldman helped develop the new mascot." />
 <figcaption>NCK Tech President Eric Burks with Chandra Feldman, director of marketing, as the college announces its new mascot, the Trailblazers. Feldman helped develop the new mascot.</figcaption>
 </figure>"We chose the bull to honor our community's roots in agriculture and to symbolize the strength and drive our students exemplify as they charge forward into their future."Members of the NCK board, including Dale Montgomery, were on hand for the mascot unveiling."I would even mention Dale Montgomery as being a trailblazer," Burks said. "He has blazed a trail for us at NCK Tech and seen us through so many changes. We really appreciate his wisdom and foresight.&nbsp;"We look forward as we develop trailblazers for the future and they take pride in their communities," Burks said.The college will have a national signing day on April 15 and will be handing out hats and other items with the new mascot on them at that time.

NCK Tech announces Trailblazers as new mascot