MyMamaTastesFunny
All-American
Mascots
It's time for the dreaded comparison of the Mascots. In this regard, Texas has the clear advantage. The image of the Longhorn is ingrained deep in the American conciousness. It is part of the mythology of the most defining American experience--the conquering of the West by the uniqely American creation--the Cowboy. It represents our most fundamantally American emotion--the quest for freedom, as well as overcoming the physical elements. The animal itself conjures brute force, danger, and hardiness. The animal is magnificent, the horns seemingly protruding forever. And of course, the analogy of the stampede works perfectly for a sport that often resembles one.
The Buckeye? The best that can be said is that it is a neutral image--neither positive nor negative. At least it's better than clearly wimpy imagery, like the hapless Beavers and Ducks of Oregon, (who picked those names?) or the Terrapins, which I believe is some squalid form of amphibian. While not exactly inspiring fear, the Buckeye is at least puzzling to opponents. You do have to give a nod to your chief rivals, in this respect. The wolverine sounds like a pretty fierce creature, almost like a werewolf. Names that inspire fear, like Hurricanes, Red Raiders, Bears are always powerful. Names that celebrate agriculture, like Cornhuskers and Buckeyes are quaint, but too reserved to really make an impact.
It's time for the dreaded comparison of the Mascots. In this regard, Texas has the clear advantage. The image of the Longhorn is ingrained deep in the American conciousness. It is part of the mythology of the most defining American experience--the conquering of the West by the uniqely American creation--the Cowboy. It represents our most fundamantally American emotion--the quest for freedom, as well as overcoming the physical elements. The animal itself conjures brute force, danger, and hardiness. The animal is magnificent, the horns seemingly protruding forever. And of course, the analogy of the stampede works perfectly for a sport that often resembles one.
The Buckeye? The best that can be said is that it is a neutral image--neither positive nor negative. At least it's better than clearly wimpy imagery, like the hapless Beavers and Ducks of Oregon, (who picked those names?) or the Terrapins, which I believe is some squalid form of amphibian. While not exactly inspiring fear, the Buckeye is at least puzzling to opponents. You do have to give a nod to your chief rivals, in this respect. The wolverine sounds like a pretty fierce creature, almost like a werewolf. Names that inspire fear, like Hurricanes, Red Raiders, Bears are always powerful. Names that celebrate agriculture, like Cornhuskers and Buckeyes are quaint, but too reserved to really make an impact.
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