We already HAVE Two Mascots?!

This photo may seem to be evidence that we already have two mascots, but in fact, it demonstrates that in order to be a forward-thinking university, we need to give attention to our Rocky the Rocket heritage.

On the left is "Rocket Man," also known as Rocky the Rocket Man, which replaced the long-standing traditional rocket costume in 1998. The Rocket Man design was selected by committee from an array of contest entries. Then-Collegian cartoonist Carlos (now Charlos) Gary, a finalist
in the contest, created a far more fierce Rocky the Rocket Man design which obviously did not pass muster. Other finalist included Toledoan Pete Hoffman, most famous for a stint drawing the comic,
Steve Roper.

On the right is what the UT Athletic Department has called "Inflatable Rocky." I recall that the first time he took the field, students jeered, mocked, harranged, and otherwise made their disdain for this characterization of Rocky known. (I'll take a trip into the archives to verify these news stories). By the next game, the Rocket Man was back, and the inflatable hero was demoted/promoted to Kids Club events.

Yes,there are two mascots here. But do these mascots truly do justice to the image of a rocket? Would we at the university use this odd couple as examples of e-portfolio work, as BGSU does with Freddie and Freida? (Click on that link and take a look at how well represented BGSU is with the falcon pair. Then, use your imagination and replace them with Rocket Man and Inflatable Rocky. I rest my case).

I think it is time we demand more. More from Rocky--let's toughen him up, give him more power--and MORE mascots...We need a second mascot, not an inflatable punching bag that won't even attract the Barney-set.

Our Mission

If Bowling Green State University can be progressive enough to offer two mascots to the mascot-loving crowd: Freddie and Freida Falcon, then certainly we at the University of Toledo, miles north of Bowling Green in so many aspects, should get aquainted with our feminine side.

The mission of this blog campaign is to draw attention to the void in not only Rocky's life, but in the University of Toledo's school-spirit(ual) life that could and should be filled if only a female mascot could join Rocky at the Glass Bowl, in John F. Savage Hall, and on lonely road trips.

I may divert from the mission to offer mascot facts, anecdotes, and semiotic analysis (I use mascots when I teach semiotic analysis to my students in my composition/rhetoric courses). Further, I may dip in to the archives and trace the pictoral history of Rocky as I have been promising/threatening to do for several years.