Thursday, March 10, 2011
With the Big 12 Tournament in full swing and the NCAA Tournament looming, it’s crunch time for Big 12 teams. They need their teams to be running on all cylinders — and that includes mascots. Here’s a breakdown of how the mascots around the conference stack up:
1. Reveille the Dog — Texas A&M
This live dog that represents the Aggies is actually a five-diamond general in the Corp of Cadets — a tradition that dates back to World War II. The best part about Revellie is that any time she barks in a class at A&M, the class is immediately dismissed.
Downside: Always runs the risk of pooping on the basketball court.
2. Bruiser the Bear — Baylor
Bruiser earned his spot mostly through a great balance of athleticism and power — and his dancing skills. Plus the alliteration is a bonus.
Downside: A grizzly bear seems extremely out of place in central Texas.
3. Herbie Husker and Lil’ Red — Nebraska
Herbie is one of the more boring mascots around, but the inflatable baby Lil’ Red makes up for it with his ability to dance by bouncing on his head.
Downside: Generation gap between mascots creates on-field tension.
4. Cy the Cyclone — Iowa State
CBS Spin named Cy the Cyclone “Most Dominant Mascot on Earth” in 2007. His aerodynamic head makes him probably the most athletic mascot in the conference.
Downside: His dual existence as a bird and a weather pattern creates a lot of confusion as to what kind of being he really is.
5. Hook ‘Em the Longhorn — Texas
“Hook ‘Em,” an intimidating yet soft longhorn, has an upper hand in every mascot fight because of his enormous horns.
Downside: Not nearly as popular as Bevo, the lethargic live Longhorn who appears at football games.
6. Big Jay the Jayhawk — Kansas
The hometown favorite really plays up his goofy side, as his go-to move tends to be falling down.
Downside: As a single father, he often has difficulty keeping track of Baby Jay at sporting events.
7. Horses Boomer and Sooner — Oklahoma
These twin horses are relative newcomers on the scene, but they stick to traditional moves like riding in a covered wagon.
Downside: Commonly thought to look more like pigs than horses.
8. Truman the Tiger — Missouri
As he was named after President Harry Truman, this tiger clearly has a strong sense of history.
Downside: Lengthy tail makes him vulnerable, and his face is about as intimidating as a cluster of grapes.
9. Chip the Buffalo — Colorado
While not too impressive at first glance, Chip has some accolades, including a place on the 2003 Capitol One All-America Mascot Team (arguably the least important All-America Team in existence).
Downside: Doesn’t wear pants.
10. Raider Red — Texas Tech
Raider Red is a very mysterious mascot, but his two fake pistols make him rather intimidating.
Downside: Unruly red beard gives him the appearance of a homeless person.
11. Pistol Pete the Cowboy — Oklahoma State
This cowboy also carries weapons everywhere, and his enormous plastic head gives him a unique advantage in fistfights.
Downside: Enormous head also makes him unbelievably creepy.
12. Willie the Wildcat — Kansas State
Willie is probably the most mobile of the mascots, as he is simply a large head on a human body.
Downside: Lack of true body makes him an embarrassment to the mascot world.
— Edited by Helen Mubarak
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