Rocky Needs a Friend

Mascot Money

2007-08-20T06:07:00.000-07:00

Considering a career cheering for your team? According to a story in today's edition of CareerBuilder.com, the average professional mascot rakes in $30,000 a year.

No BasketBRAWL?

2007-03-23T07:17:00.000-07:00

According to a story in today's NYT, the NCAA is erring on the side of caution to avoid any MASCOT wrestling-matches during its March Madness tournament series.

Perhaps they are going too far. Last weekend, the mascot for the Texas Longhorns was reprimanded for patting a ref on the back and "standing up too often."

After a mascot death match on a court in 2003, when Utah's red-tailed hawk beheaded the Oregon Duck.

Mascot Violence: What to do?

2007-02-03T07:26:00.000-08:00

In today's news, a man dressed as a Wookie was arrested for attacking a tour guide on the streets of Los Angeles. Chewbacca allegedly headbutted the tour leader who had admonished him for harrassing two tourists. According to the newsstory, he costumed actor responded,
"Nobody tells a Wookie what to do."

A few weeks ago, a family filed similar charges against the bouncy "fun, fun, fun fun fun," Tigger at DisneyWorld in Florida. While posing for a photo with a family, Tigger allegedly punched the a 14-year-old in the face.

This begs the questions What changes a person's behavior once they are behind the mask? Should we carefully consider who is permitted to don our Rocky costumes, if and when our campaign for mascot change is successful? How can we prevent abherent behavior in our mascots, and thus, preserve the integrity of the mascot ideal?

The answer may lie in the mascot training process. Perhaps mascot therapy and conditioning should be a part of this process. It is clear to any Star Wars fan that the actor in the Wookie costume BECAME the Wookie, racting as Chewy himself would have. Tigger is perhaps THE single most annoying Disney character, hyped up on unrefined honey and likely caffiene, he wants to steal the show by bounded in and bouncing around...the innocent blow to this teen's face was likely a consequence of the actor becoming just as annoying as the character he is playing.

I can only imagine what would happen if a ballistic rocket was able to fully get into the character.

Friendly Mascots

2007-01-20T15:02:00.000-08:00

While we ponder the possiblities of an additional University of Toledo mascot--if not an Extreme Makeover for Rocky--let's take a look at the mascots chosen for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

The Five Friendlies, each in the color of an Olympic Ring, will, according to the Olympic Games website, "carry a message of friendship and peace ...and good wishes from China."

I suppose these Pokemon-like cartoon characters: the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow, and the Olympic Flame--are a fitting vehicle for sending such a message.

And such a message is in stark contrast to the other messages China is currently dispatching to the world.

They could have chosen short-range ballistic missles as the five mascots (which would not be unlike our Rocket that greets spectators at the Glass Bowl.

They could have created cutesy, cartoonish executioners...China still leads the world in executions, according to Amnesty International.

Gosh, imagine the possiblities for the opening ceremonies! ATiananmen Square reinactment may prove quite a crowd pleaser.

Best Mascot Chosen

2007-01-03T11:22:00.000-08:00

News of the day--the Capital One Best Mascot has been chosen. It is Butch T. Cougar of Washington State University. You can read all about him here:
http://www.capitalonebowl.com/BioDetail.aspx

Butch appears to be a single mascot, with no inflatable friend. As I predicted, furry friends still dominate.

Testudo came in second. Sorry Michelle.

Two Gators versus One Big Nut

2006-12-04T12:43:00.000-08:00

The BCS has spoken--The University of Florida will face The Ohio State University in the National Collegiate Football Championship in dusty Arizona January 8.

This forum is not about football, but mascots, so what concerns us here is the mascot-action we'll see on the sidelines during lulls on the gridiron.

We all know Brutus, who represents the nut shed by the state tree, the buckeye. AND, this will come as no surprise, but UFla is blessed with TWO gators: Alberta and Albert, pictured here with Jimmy Chin and someone who refers to himself as "Croc," who keep a webpage photo album of all the mascots they meet. Perhaps their ethnographic research can help us to pursue our mascot goals.

Furry Friends will Still Dominate

2006-11-11T09:59:00.000-08:00

Capitol One, the credit card company, is planning to settle the issue once and for all. The winner of its mascot contest (http://www.capitalonebowl.com/) will be announced on New Year's Day. Sadly, the inflate-a-Rockie didn't make the cut. But one thing is for sure, furry mascots are given as the "unsung heroes" of the mascot world--not those hot air balloons.

The field was narrowed to twelve for this contest. Check here for the latest scoop on this contest. http://www.creditcards.com/fur-flies-in-competition-for-capital-one-national-mascot-of-the-year.php

Maybe Rockie can get some pointers from these guys. Notice that Lil' Red or Herbie Husker aren't in the line up. I wonder what a Testudo is?!

What's next?

2006-11-10T13:53:00.000-08:00

So, what do we do with this information? Now that we know that these inflatables are THE mascots of the 21st century, should we just accept inflatable Rocky and his sidekick stock-race-car driver Rockio Rockdretti? Or should we push for more?Here's my current idea: How about we design a new sidekick for one of those mascots? You know, something in keeping with the war/power/destruct symbolism of the rocket.
Here's some ideas.

Firestorm: I see an inflatable ball-of fire, gnashing teeth, furrowed brow. This occurs after a nuclear detonation--a side-effect of a nuclear blast, which generates strong inrushing winds from all sides, which spread fires and add fresh oxygen to intensify them. We could bring him out after every touchdown to celebrate annihilation.
Cruise: A small inflatable Rocket...Rocky's little brother...kind of like Barbie has Skipper tagging along. While most of Toledo wouldn't likely be too keen on the name, once they see this little rascal dance, they would declare him our Top Gun!

Cute names aside, we could design a sidekick using an offical missle name like Hawk, Hellfire, Minutemnan, MIG, Patriot, Pershing, FalconGenie, Quali, Poseidon, Stinger.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Inflatable Mascots **

2006-11-10T13:44:00.000-08:00

I'll bet all your readers out there are wondering just how inflatable mascots really work...wonder no more! At right is a diagram from the the WalkAround.com mascot site. It appears that they operate on the same principle as that now ubiquitous symbol of American consumption--the inflatable lawn ornament/decoration. The wearer carries a blower which inflates the costume.

They're Bipartisan

2006-11-10T13:30:00.000-08:00

After reading comments about the inflatable invasion in the CNNSI article mentioned in the previous post, I started into some research and found the pitch-site of a manufacturer/distributor of "Walk-around" inflatable mascot wear. The website entices those who use "fuzzy" costumes with the promise that their costume
attracts more attention •is more comfortable to wear • lasts longer • stays cleaner • is more distinctive • is more entertaining • stays cooler • performs bigger • stores smaller • enables to wearer to do tricks • doesn't stink. As this photo demonstrates, it also brings warring politcial factions together in laughter. The former Pres. George Herbert Walker Bush and the William Jefferson Clinton embrace the New Orleans something or other's mascot, who smartly donned red and blue to hide his party allegiance, or gang membership, or both.

I'd bet that pirate's booty that this isn't the first time Clinton has been with a blow-up doll.

Do We Not Bleed?

2006-11-07T10:10:00.000-08:00

Exploring the inflatable mascot phenom, I found a CNN/SI interview article in which Purdue Pete interviews Herbie the Husker and Lil' Red, the duo representing Nebraska.

Purdue Pete explains that other mascots he has spoken with are "... not too thrilled with the recent popularity of these inflatable mascots," and asks Lil' Red, " What do you have to say about this discriminatory attitude?" Red's reply: "It's an injustice. We're mascots, too. I think other mascots just don't understand us. And maybe they're a little intimidated by the tricks we can do."

Does this change our attitude toward "The Inflatable Rocky?" Can we see him as a "mascot, too?"If we cut him, will he not deflate?

Lil' Red's Brethren

2006-11-07T10:01:00.000-08:00

This Lil' Red reminds me of Lard Lad, the character from The Simpon's Treehouse of Horror VI, "Attack of the 50-foot Eyesores," and Big Boy, the Frisch's mascot. Consider the common characteristics: portly, cherubic cheeks, overalls/suspenders....

Lil' Red

2006-11-02T06:27:00.000-08:00

Blow up mascots appear to be an inexpensive alternative to those very hot plush costumes. I guess Rocky the spaceman should be happy he doesn't have to wear one, but don't you think he looks like a formula 1 race car driver more than a spaceman?

We already HAVE Two Mascots?!

2006-10-31T12:05:00.000-08:00

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

2006-10-27T13:36:00.000-07:00

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.