The History Behind UNCG Symbols Minerva and Spiro
Cast in Bronze
JAMES BARNHILL ’82 MFA designed and created the campus’ bronze statue of Minerva, which was installed in 2003. It was a gift of the Class of 1953. His inspirations? Michelangelo, the green tint of the Mediterranean Sea, and the idea that wisdom is power. Barnhill fashioned Minerva with one arm welcoming, and one arm leading to the horizon, and this defining gesture has been a key element in the University’s identity ever since.
Heavy Metal
Irwin “Ike” Belk funded the Spartan statue, located near the softball and soccer stadiums, for UNCG Athletics. Sculpted by Pitt County artists Jodi and Hanna Hollnagel-Jubran, it was dedicated in 2009.
Who’s Inside the Helmet?
Since the Spartan mascot was created for men’s sports, you might be surprised to know that one enthusiastic and celebrated Spiro is Lexi Brinegar, a 5’ 7” Spartan woman. She wore the suit 2017-21.
“I wore the old suit for more than a year. It was a bushy-eyed dude,” she jokes. She also wore the newer version of the outfit, which was launched in 2019.
Brinegar even helped with the design.“I advised about the inside of the head. Before, the inside was wool on your face and neck. Now, it’s much more comfortable.”
As Spiro, she collaborated with the dance team, climbed to the top of cheerleader pyramids, and even did James Brown-style splits. Brinegar also wore the suit outside the arena: “I did four commercials as Spiro for Ingles supermarkets.”
It all started her freshman year. “I shadowed the earlier Spiro, Daniel. We won the SoCon in Asheville. Then, two weeks later, Daniel couldn’t go to Idaho for the NCAA first round. It was my first time in a plane. And my first NCAA game – and I was Spiro!”
She’d do it all again, she says. “Spiro was an awesome part of my life. To be on the court and to see people all around you in the stands cheering for what you’re doing is amazing.”
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