Do we know an origin of Snowplow Sam?

[FSWer]

Say,I was reading the Basic Skills Program Book and it dawned on me to ask this. But does anyone know a History behind how we got the Snowplow Sam Skating Bear Mascott? I was just wondering how it came about.

[Isk8NYC]

IIRC, the "Basic 8" program was introduced first with the Basic 1-8 levels.

Later, the USFSA expanded it to include the Snowplow Sam levels for tots, calling the program "Basic Skills." I guess they chose the friendly polar bear at that time. I think they also redid their "image" going with the white backgrounds on their publications and website.

They may have had a "name the mascot" contest, but I could be thinking of the ISI, who had a naming contest a year or so ago for their boy and girl icons for WeSkate.

When did the USFSA select the name "US Figure Skating?"