Hundreds of screaming ULM fans welcomed their new champion, Ace the Warhawk, during a special pep rally in Fant-Ewing Coliseum today.

While the Sound of Today played the Warhawk’s theme song, Ace, wearing a black bomber jacket and flight goggles, emerged from a human tunnel of ULM spirit groups and football players.

“Ace's name has special meaning because it was chosen by the students and it emulates the Warhawk perfectly,” said SGA President Rob Carroll, who, along with head football coach Charlie Weatherbie, announced Ace's name to the crowd. Ace acknowledges the mascot’s background in military aviation, Carroll said in a later interview.

"One thing the (Warhawk) plane and the bird have in common is the concept of flight. Ace ties those two aspects together very nicely. Ace represents skill, precision and speed," he said.

While the crowd cheered on Ace, the Sound of Today played the new fight song, and the ceremony closed with the Alma Mater.

Click here for a photo gallery of "Ace" and his friends!