OCC Owls

OCC Mascot: Talon the Owl

OCC’s mascot represents the strong sense of community between the students, employees and alumni of Oakland Community College. OCC Owls are wise and determined, never backing down from a challenge and always striving toward a goal. Our mascot unites us and helps us soar to new heights.

Talon the Owl is the embodiment of school spirit, student connections, academic and athletic achievement. Talon is always available to give a high five or encouragement, whether that’s for athletes playing a tough game or students studying for finals.

History of Talon

Talon the Owl Lands at OCC

OCC Graphic design student Hailey Martin will leave her mark on OCC. She illustrated and conceptualized OCC’s new mascot. Out of numerous design concepts, her graphic style and character proved to be the perfect fit to represent OCC’s next generation.

Read Hailey’s story and how she designed OCC’s new mascot.

OCC Mascot Timeline

1965: The OCC Raiders identity was launched shortly after the College opened. At that time, the Oakland Raiders were a professional football team that played in Oakland, California. The national football team created the now-familiar emblem of a pirate (or "Raider") wearing a football helmet. Because OCC carried the same “Oakland” name, the College selected a Raider/Pirate for its mascot.

2022: OCC launched an inclusive effort to create a new mascot to replace the “Raiders” and better represent who we are: our College values, our students, employees and community. The two-year process incorporated hundreds of student mascot suggestions, thousands of student and employee votes.

2024: On Valentine’s Day 2024, OCC unveiled our new mascot: Talon the Owl. Kicking off the Fall semester, Talon the Owl debuted live at OCC's Talon Tailgate, to roaring applause and cheers, while OCC’s athletes unveiled their new Owls uniforms.