Archive for December, 2008
President Bush mention’s A&M Mascot!
George W Bush gave his last commencement speech as President of the United States at Texas A&M on Friday. The Texas crowd in the Statesman article appreciated the fact that the President was speaking at commencement and were given the advice to stay true to one’s convictions and pursue a life of service.
One the lighter side and Stories behind the Fur related, President Bush cracked jokes about Aggie traditions mentioning that if the Collie mascot Reveille barks during a lecture, class is dismissed.
The President joked, “I wish she would have been there for some of those press conferences.”
Get ready to run with the Razorbacks this month!
This month is everything Arkansas Razorback. I dialed up Boss Hog (Nathan Allen) and (John Marc Shellenberger), two of the University of Arkansas mascots and learned a lot about the school’s mascot team consisting of Big Red, Sue E, Pork Chop, the newest member-Boss Hog and the live mascot (Russian boar) Tusk.
Nathan Allen (Boss Hog) told me of the hazards of an inflatable mascot and faulty wiring as well as the try-out process.
Most intriguing is that this mascot program announces and celebrates the people behind the scenes. There is no secrecy– I was allowed to use names, see pictures, and openly “expose” the fellows I spoke with.
Movement and vision always seems to be an issue for mascots and I can’t believe this video link of Boss Hog making a 3 pointer from his snout.
I could never make a three pointer as a high school basketball player and that was without an inflatable uniform…I had full vision and full use of my arms and still couldn’t!
#30 on a list? C’mon!!!!
Here at Stories Behind the Fur we love when Mascots make a list. This one waxes poetic with basketball season and it’s a fun read, but one would think funny mascots would make the top ten at least!
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/86338-50-reasons-i-love-college-basketball
Tusk needs Funding
Link This month’s podcast is all things Razorback! Look back to the site this Tuesday and on the 23 of December to hear all about Arkansas and life as a razorback.
The University announced in October that a fund was being set up to help with the costs of its live mascot, Tusk II. Tusk II took over for his father recently and hopes the money will expand appearances to sporting events other than football games!
Does the coach look like the mascot?
I’ve heard of owners looking like their pets, but I never thought you could compare the mascot to the coach! Sport’s Illustrated has some pictures to compare. Who would have thought the Blue Devil looks like Coach K but new discoveries are everywhere!
A College Mascot Competition?
The San Marcos (Texas) High School this week is sponsoring a college week titled “Education, Go Get It”.
To get students fired up and interested in higher education, fight songs will be played between classes and faculty and staff will be wearing college t-shirts and sweatshirts. The week’s festivities include daily announcements about colleges, power point slide shows broadcast over the TVs, information tables at lunch, and a college fair.
Of interest to Stories Behind the Fur, is the college mascot competition on Friday. Students can dress up as a mascot from their favorite university, and win a prize! We’d love to see pictures from that pageant!
