One of the unfortunate elements about the NCAA basketball tournament is that in addition to some great basketball, it brings around a few reminders of what an unpleasant organization the NCAA can be:
During the first round of the N.C.A.A. tournament last weekend, John Goodman -- a freshman who wears a steer costume to cheer for the Texas Longhorns -- did what comes naturally to mascots: He patted a referee on the back.
This usually brings applause, laughter or good-natured booing from fans. But in the postseason tournament, when rules are stricter, N.C.A.A. supervisors "actually kind of reprimanded me," Goodman said, "and they also told me I stood up too often."
Now, I realize there have been past instances of fights between mascots, and the like, but really. Lighten the hell up, will you?
On a vaguely related note, here's a list of the 25 Worst Mascots in Division I (via Off the Kuff). I don't agree with all the choices, but it's mostly pretty funny.
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Ahh, I'm glad that Stanford is #1.
Go Bears!
You disagree because Syracuse is on the list, right?
Mascot's that should not be on a list of worst mascots:
Buzz, the Gator (b/c of the SC comercial with Steve Irwin), the Tree.
Seriously, the Tree? It's irony! Without the whole backstory it seems pretty stupid. But it's the tree. Second best mascot in all of college sports (behind only a dude with a sword on a white horse).
RPM -- irony -- I get it!
Second best college mascot moment of my life was seeing Oski and the tree get into a fight, and seeing how quickly the tree fell apart. (Obviously wasn't designed for structural integrity.) Man, that tree is stupid.
Best college mascot moment was seeing Traveler throw Tommy Trojan and gallop madly around the Coliseum. The stunned silence of the SC fans was broken only by the riotous glee of the Cal rooting section. A truly classic moment.
Damn, is this just going to be a Tree-bashing thread? I mean, I knew Stanford would win the worst mascot, but does everyone really hate it? As for the structural integrity, the thing is built by the band and not exactly treated well, so it tends to get destroyed.
But I can't really defend it, it is quite hideous, and what kind of team name is the Cardinal anyway? I still wish we had changed it to the "Robber Barons".
The NCAA is concerned about more than just mascots. You should hear the "riot act" they read to the fans at the NCAA regional baseball tournaments. Can you imagine going to a baseball game and being told you are not supposed to insult or "threaten" the umpire?
Stuart asks: "what kind of team name is the Cardinal anyway?"
In the same category as the Crimson (Hahvahd), Crimson Tide (Alabama), or Big Green (Dartmouth), to name a few off the top of my head.