This is part three in our weeklong series of ridiculous essays loosely based on the midmajority's essay season to get amped up for basketball season. Part I was about hyphens and Part II was about Carbondale. Today, let's talk mascots.
Mascots symbolize what your university stands for. Maybe your university really likes christmas.
Maybe your university really hates the big state school that always beats up on you during the non-conference portion of the schedule before you decide enough is enough.
In SIUE's case, we replaced a lovable, kid friendly cougar named Cory with something right out of the Jersey Shore. For the time being, let's call him Crusher.
The newer and currently nameless mascot replaced Cory just about a week ago. The character I have been accustomed to since my childhood has been forgotten, but will forever stand on this websites header. When my grandparents took me to basketball games growing up, Cory was always there with me. The person in the costume has undoubtedly changed throughout that time, but I thought of Cory as his own self. The mascot was the person, rather than a costume on a person. Cory the Cougar had that unmistakable identity to him. He was more than just a Cougar. He was Cory the Cougar.
Even after meeting baseball player and former Cory the Cougar Brent Rynerson at Shennanigans one night, his alter-ego persona did not shine through. Cory was not Brent, nor was Brent Cory. Cory was Cory and Cory was awesome.
When Kyle Whelliston, the man who brings the midmajority to life each November visited the Vadalabene Center last year, I took a picture with Bally, the traveling fun basketball thing and Cory. When I predicted the halftime score for SIUE's games against Northern Kentucky and Bellermine back in the day, Cory was there at the table. Cory presented me with my Misi Clark signed basketball with a 1990's Cougar logo I still possess.
The sweat filled suit since retired remains a reminder of SIUE basketball past.
As Chimega, SIUE's live Cougar mascot couldn't survive animal rights activists and Division II, (even though it was treated better than any zoo animal in America) couldn't survive, Cory couldn't survive Division I.
I heard rumors of the new mascot for a while. Felix was talking about a huge new development in SIUE athletics. I thought it could either be A) football. B) separation. C) getting televised on ESPN.
It was neither of these things, and Jason Coomer told me at a soccer game this was it.
It was in his office and unlike anything we have had before.
Walking through the quad, the Red Storm was giving away free food and a DJ was spinning. Heading towards my class in Alumni Hall they announced the new mascot would be out shortly.
This was the death of Cory.
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| Copyright Sean Roberts/Alestle |
The new mascot will grow on us all. It will become a symbol of SIUE during times much greater and much more successful than those of Cory. When I am older, doing whatever it may be I am doing and SIUE plays in the first round of the NCAA tournament, the man inside a suit will have a name, and he will be there. Years of wear and tear will have forced a few different trips to the dry cleaners, but the fur, situation-esque abs and foaming teeth of what I am calling "Crusher" until a formal name is announced will be there.
This new mascot demands respect Cory did not.
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| Copyright Michelle Beard/Alestle |
It would have been fitting during the Haunted House of Hoops when LeShaun Murphy attempted to dunk two individuals as well as Crusher for Crusher to simply raise his arms, snatch LeShaun out of the air and eat him alive instead of allowing the dunk to be executed.
Crusher is the symbol of what we aspire to be. Coach Forrester said Crusher has to get the okay from his daughter, but I doubt that will happen right away. Crusher will make grown men cry and turn all of the geese on this campus into stone.
No child is going to embrace Crusher until he gives the OK.
Crusher may not have Cory's dance moves, but Crusher brings something we so desperately need. Ironically, it is something Crusher does not currently have, a name.
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