The Skyhawks nickname refers to an airfield built on the Ames estate, on which property Stonehill College was built. In the late 1920s, the great-grandson of Oliver Ames, Frederick Lothrop "Freddy" Ames, Jr. acquired a passion for aviation and had an airfield built on their property. The Ames Flying Field was one of three fields in Easton, and was recognized by the Federal Aeronautics Administration (FAA). The flying field included two runways, an office and a hangar building. The two runways were located on the land next to the present day Holy Cross Center, and remnants of the tie-downs can still be found in the ground today.

The first plane to land on the Ames Flying Field was the Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" used during World War I. Freddy used the field for flying to and from Boston.  

On November 6, 1932, Freddy was killed when his plane lost control and crashed in Randolph, Mass. After the property was bought by the Congregation of Holy Cross, the airfield was leased to the Navy during World War II and private companies before and after the war until it was closed in 1955 due to increasing student enrollment. The Navy used the field for training exercises and would employ the Skyhawk aircraft between 1954-1995.

The logo, which depicts a mythical bird of flight dressed in the classic scarf and goggles of early aircraft pilots, incorporates the school colors of purple and white. The Stonehill "S" is depicted in an "aviators" font, while the "O" takes the shape of a propeller.

The formal dedication of the Skyhawk and the unveiling of the new mascot, "Ace," took place on Saturday, September 10, 2005 in conjunction with the dedication of W.B. Mason Stadium prior to kickoff of the Stonehill-Pace football game, which Stonehill won 17-10.