Over the years the marketing departments of colleges and professional sports teams have been very creative with making the game more enjoyable. Contests, races, dances and on field activities are now an important part of sports and in minor league parks and colleges are very important.
What is your favorite mascot?
Is it the Philly Phanatic?
- Is it the San Diego Chicken (who was one of the first mascots)?
- Is it Wally the Green Monster?
- Is it Detroit’s Paws?
- How about Wisconsin’s Bucky the Badger?
- Is it Notre Dame’s Leprechaun?
- What about Penn State’s Nittany Lion?
Now that I have kids who are old enough to go to sporting events, mascots have become more important to me and I am on the lookout for them at games. They put smiles on kids’ faces, they make people laugh and frankly they add a tremendous amount to the atmosphere of a game.
My favorite is and has always been the San Diego Chicken. The Chicken has been performing since I was a kid in the early 1970′s. I can remember the Chicken having a TV show with Johnny Bench. The Chicken was named one of the 100 most powerful people in sports for the 20th century by The Sporting News.
Are you a fan or foe of mascots?
What’s your favorite mascot?
Stephenie King Gordon says:
I like Otto the Orange (Syracuse) because it’s just ridiculous that an Orange is their mascot!!!! I don’t know how long Otto has been around nor when they were forced to go from “orangemen” to just “oranges”. Regardless of the history, he’s cute and round and looks happy and makes me giggle.
kath says:
Here in Manchvegas (Manchester, NH) we have the Manchester Monarch, the AHL affiliate of the LA Kings.
The Monarch’s mascot is “Max” the lion. He’s fabulous. The kids adore him and he’s great fun to watch during the games.
Even thought he blocked my daughter’s shot (which would have been a goal) during one the in-between period exhibition games that the youth league plays at the games, she still LOVES Max!
kath
Bob Graham says:
I’ve sent Merril some pictures via e-mail. Perhaps he’ll be able to post.
Kelly Heatly says:
The single best mascot in the world of sports is LSU’s Mike the Tiger — powerful, memorable, and classic. According to LSU tradition, the Tigers will score a touchdown for every time Mike growls before the game. Keep on growling, Mike!