(above) DU Alum Doug Hirsh has vowed to travel over 2,000 miles to support BooneFrom: Denver Post
by Bill Husted
It looks like Boone the Pioneer mascot is dead and buried. After a flurry of student interest to bring back Boone, University of Denver Chancellor Robert Coombe last week announced, "The University simply cannot adopt an official mascot that has a divisive rather than unifying influence on our community." The university has said the mascot does not reflect the diversity of today's campus.
Boone was born as Denver Boone in 1968, according to my old pal Doug Hirsh, who in fact was the original Denver Boone.
Hirsh and I were friends in high school and remain in touch. He's now running a hotel in Massachusetts, but he's ready to come back to Denver — to gather the troops as Denver Boone!
A call went out in 1968 for students to enter a competition to be Denver Boone, to appear at basketball and hockey games and various booster events. Hirsh was a junior in the Beta House and gave it a try.
"I got dressed up in buckskin and raccoon cap, got a fake beard from a costume store and I already had a bullwhip," he explains. "And I won. I was Denver Boone."
He's not sure when Denver Boone became Boone the Pioneer — and he's not sure what all the fuss is about. Boone was dropped in 1998 to be replaced by Ruckus, a red-tailed hawk.
"It was a lot of fun," Hirsh says. "I just don't see why he's offensive to anybody. He's just a pioneer, a mountain man, a little bit of the heritage of the first settlers who came to Colorado."
Hirsh doesn't wear his Boone outfit anymore, except for sleeping in the Davy Crockett cap. But he's ready to grow a beard and come back for homecoming, or a parade, even a demonstration. "Just tell me where to be," he says. "And where to pick up the plane ticket. If called, I will serve."
Boone was born as Denver Boone in 1968, according to my old pal Doug Hirsh, who in fact was the original Denver Boone.
Hirsh and I were friends in high school and remain in touch. He's now running a hotel in Massachusetts, but he's ready to come back to Denver — to gather the troops as Denver Boone!
A call went out in 1968 for students to enter a competition to be Denver Boone, to appear at basketball and hockey games and various booster events. Hirsh was a junior in the Beta House and gave it a try.
"I got dressed up in buckskin and raccoon cap, got a fake beard from a costume store and I already had a bullwhip," he explains. "And I won. I was Denver Boone."
He's not sure when Denver Boone became Boone the Pioneer — and he's not sure what all the fuss is about. Boone was dropped in 1998 to be replaced by Ruckus, a red-tailed hawk.
"It was a lot of fun," Hirsh says. "I just don't see why he's offensive to anybody. He's just a pioneer, a mountain man, a little bit of the heritage of the first settlers who came to Colorado."
Hirsh doesn't wear his Boone outfit anymore, except for sleeping in the Davy Crockett cap. But he's ready to grow a beard and come back for homecoming, or a parade, even a demonstration. "Just tell me where to be," he says. "And where to pick up the plane ticket. If called, I will serve."
7 comments:
Chancellor Robert Coombe last week announced, "The University simply cannot adopt an official mascot that has a divisive rather than UNIFYING influence on our community."
Its pretty obvious that that the Boone issue has UNIFIED the alumni.
Hell hath no fury like a mad alumni...Coombe, you way underestimated the effects of your letter.
Bring back Hirsh!!!!
Can anyone tell me where the Boonies are pre-gaming it before home games? Are you at the Campus Lounge, the Border (is that place still in business, does Jonny still run it??????), Spanky's?
Where oh where are the Boone fanatics? I wore my Boone shirt to the game 2 weeks back and did not see any other people in Boone attire. Where does everyone congregate during intermissions??
Can the Boonies all try and meet on the West Side concession area near the basketball courts inbetween periods?
Signed, Looking for Boone supporters
You got to love it that DU made it into Husted's column, one of the most popular column's in the Denver Post. This guy makes and breaks many businesses with his take on what is going on in the city. Whoever does PR for this blog, should definitely put Mr. Husted on your email list to update him on the Boone saga.
Thanks for the tip on Husted.
Spanky's Roadhouse at 1800 East Evans is home of the Rebel Alliance. Corner of University & High Sts.
They serve burgers & chicken sandwich type fare and almost everyone in there is heading to the game. Get there early because it fills up.
Its a short walk to Magness
DU has many more bars in the area than in the 80s, when there were about 3-4.
Yes the Border (no Jonny anymore but still grungy), Campus Lounge (Wiste still running the joint) and Stadium Inn in all still sling cheap drinks for the DU faithful pre game, as do three new (this year) additions to the local bar scene - Smugs (used to be Fagans'), Jordan's, and The Pioneer have all made strong debuts. Of course, there is always Spanky's Roadhouse, Stick-e-Star and University Park Cafe as well as Sidelines Pub in the Driscoll Center.
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