Something Smells Of School Spirit!
Some of our country’s coolest animals also happen to be live mascots for big university sports teams; so what’s life like for these four-legged school reps? We checked in with a few of our favorites to get a peek at the animal mascot lifestyle.
Yale University Bulldogs: Handsome Dan
Yale University not only has a tough sports team—they have an even tougher (but also extremely adorable) bulldog mascot, Handsome Dan, currently played by a one-year-old English Bulldog named Sherman. The seventeenth Yale mascot since their first in 1889 (when the school actually invented the concept of the mascot), Sherman lives happily with Yale alumnus, Chris Getman. Sherman’s breeder was referred to Getman by a former Yale football captain who owns his half-brother, Rambo. Even when he’s not wearing the signature mascot sweater, this lovable pup’s life is a busy one—he’s always at the games and often goes to the office with his owner. When asked for some funny stories about the mascots, Getman laughs, “There are too many humorous incidents regarding mascots (we’ve had four) to put into writing. Suffice it to say, bulldogs are very funny and a lot of fun.”
For more info on Yale University and Handsome Dan, visit http://yalebulldogs.cstv.com/
University of Kentucky Wildcats: The Wildcat
At almost four years old and a large thirty pounds, the University of Kentucky’s wildcat mascot could scare off any competing team! However, this mascot won’t make the trip out to the games—though he can be viewed publicly at Kentucky’s Salato Center, Bobcats can get a bit bothered by loud, cheering crowds, despite being raised by humans. UK’s Bobcat is, according to the Center’s website, fed only the best of meals, receiving the “’Nebraska’ large cat diet…which supplies all of the nutrients required to live a happy, healthy life.” The Center has even recreated the Wildcat’s habitat, complete with a river, which they stock with “native Kentucky fish that he can catch and eat if he chooses.” Sounds like this mascot is living the good life!
For more info about the University of Kentucky’s Wildcats, check out www.ukathletics.com and http://fw.ky.gov.
University of Oklahoma Sooners: Boomer and Sooner
Though the actual names “Sooner” and “Boomer” date back to a phrase categorizing progressive Oklahoma settlers in the Civil War era, today’s Sooner and Boomer are of the four-legged variety—two thunderous white ponies. The horse mascots pull the school’s traditional covered wagon, the Sooner Schooner, around the field with every point scored. So do they ever get freaked out by the huge gatherings at games? “We have not experienced problems with the horses due to crowds,” says Kenny Mossman, Associate A.D. for Communications (Football) for the University of Oklahoma. “Their comfort is a concern of ours and we make every effort to indoctrinate them.” When they’re not at home with their loving family in Sapukpa, Oklahoma, Boomer and Sooner attend approximately eight or nine football games per year and a handful of special events—check one out to see these cool mascots on a roll!
For more info on the University of Oklahoma Sooners, visit www.soonersports.com.
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