Mascot Mania (a “Doldrums” Topic)

[IdaGriz01]

With only a trickle of stuff out of the football program, and weeks before practices start, I figured we could use a “doldrums” topic. Not that long ago, we managed a bunch of pages on new “pump up” music for the pre-game show. I have no such ambitions for this thread, but let’s at least give it a try.

My train of thought started over on another thread. Of course, UM does have an animal mascot, but keeping a live grizzly around would be “problematic,” at best. (I have some thoughts on an alternative approach, which I’ll share as we – hopefully – go along.)

My other notion was that it would be interesting to list some of the more exciting, or at least interesting, pre-game “pageantry” involving life animal mascots. I already mentioned three good ones on the other thread:
(1) the USC Trojan mascot galloping out and about on the horse “Traveler”
(2) the Florida State Seminole mascot riding out and stabbing the field logo
(3) the Oklahoma Sooner Schooner racing out onto the field
(4) “Ralphie,” the Colorado buffalo … daring her handlers to keep up

There are several lists on the web about football pre-game rituals, but a lot of them focus on “walks,” or patting a stone (statue, etc.), or bursting through a special sign … or whatever. But for this go-’round, let’s deal with live mascots.

Since it’s for interest, and perhaps floating some ideas, let’s consider all levels of college football (or even high school, if you know something great).

 

[IdaGriz01]

Just to get the ball rolling: Having Uga “march” onto the field at Georgia football games may have traditional meaning for the faithful, but it’s not exactly thrilling. Here’s a great alternative: the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds (D-II) have a pair of actual greyhounds as their mascots. I could not find out if they have them charge onto the field for pre-game, but it would certainly be possible. (Several teams have trained dogs to race out and grab the kicker’s tee, which I think is kinda cool.)