If it walks like an Elk, sounds like an Elk and looks like an Elk --- Its not a "Pioneer"
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| (above) The DU Elk featured in the mascot survey |
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| (above) The DU Mountaineer featured in the DU survey |
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| (above) The DU Jackalope |
107 comments:
It would be interesting to start a Indiegoo, Kickstarter, or similar online fundraising campaign to quantify how much financial support from alumni and others is behind having one of the three new mascot finalists or Boone named as official mascot. Presumably there is no dollar amount that would make Booone a viable option for the current chancellor but it would also be a wakeup call to the task force to see little to no money pledged to say "I will donate $X to DU if the [jackalope/elk/mountaineer] is named DU's official mascot" and a big pledge for Boone.
Not sure how the timing on these projects works but maybe the Booone pledges could sit there available for a future chancellor when no other viable candidate emerges or there is another Ruckus-like flop.
Oops - should be Indiegogo not Indiegoo
Its a good idea, but the problem runs far deeper than money.
With the DU administration being openly hostile towards Boone, liability issues, access to other parts of the arena and arbitrary rule changes make it too much of a hassle.
I really hope Gwoz doesnt screw up another interview and gets the Huntsville job.
Gwoz and DG have one thing in common.....Their biggest fan is who they look at in the mirror each morning.
I wish I was half as classy, intelligent, patient and ethical as Gwozdecky.
Anonymous Skippy you're pretty funny coming on D.G.'s blog and spouting off. I bet you woudn't say that to his face if you were standing in front of him. Hiding behind a computer screen makes people brave.
Eric Burton: You were great as the lead singer of The Animals!
That was Eric Burdon.
Guess if your first name is George and you coach in Denver you better not buy a house
I actually like the mountaineer.
Dare I say that I like it better than the most recent iteration of Boone, which, to me, always brought to mind the vaguely disturbingly image of a pedophile who had just gotten away with groping a 5 year old.
Like this guy.
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_23355303/former-denver-preschool-teacher-david-moe-pleads-guilty
(Sorry, DG...just call 'em like I see 'em...)
I agree that the Mountaineer is by far the least offensive option presented. Climbing previously unconquered heights does make this character a pioneer, without too much of a stretch.
On the other hand, I find it interesting that this whole fiasco, supposedly initiated to be inoffensive, has ended up with a male Caucasian. I'm sure there will be objections to this character as well. Stay tuned.
The mountaineer has a serious modern Disney look. I can live with it...
I'll stand by my earlier comments that Kevin Carroll & Coombe always intended to select the Elk and everything else is just window dressing.
Elk is a just chicken hawk with antlers...Failure...
If Boone is aggressive male offensive than a mountaineer an automatic disqualifier.
a mountain man is a hell of a lot more male dominant aggressive then our Disney Boone caricature.
I'll stand by my earlier comments...... Letsgodu was always about your personal Boone agenda. Everything thing else about school spirit and supporting DU athletics was just window dressing.
Don't be a hypocrite!
5:41, Nobody cares that much about Boone except for you. The stance and passion of Boone supporters has much more to do with backlash at DU (and ignorant students like Guy and Estenson) for their non-democratic process, non-sensical arguments, their lack of transparency, and their insincere gestures of pretending like they give two shits about what anyone has to say.
Boone was resurrected by us alumni to fill a void in school spirit that was created when we got rid of him and replaced him with the bird that everyone hated (or at least didn't support). Boone is undeniably very popular at games, gets student cheers going, and has a very positive impact since he came back.
He was just one minor piece of a multi-faceted plan to generate more school spirit at DU. Take a look at this link, one of the posts from the very beginnings of this blog.
http://letsgodu.blogspot.com/2005/09/blog-post.html
If you still think this blog was created solely because of DG's obsession with Boone you are clearly a helpless cause and just another internet troll.
Did you notice Joe Colborne's quote recently comparing the college atmosphere to the NHL? Did you notice that he praised Wisconsin and North Dakota but not his home crowd? Frankly, pro-Boone or anti-Boone, we should all be embarrassed. I've been to the arenas that Joe mentioned and several others in college hockey. I wish our fan experience was as good as theirs. Rather than doing anything to try and improve upon this, DU creates a mascot fiasco and sets us back 10 years to the Ruckus days.
well stroked 6:44!!
6:44, you alumni blew it when you put DG in charge. You can't run around kicking sand in the Chancelor's eyes and expect to be involved in the process and or part of the solution.
DU was clearly never going to bring Boone back from the get go. You buried your head in the sand and now you're on the outside looking in on the transition to a new mascot. Take your pail and shovel and go home. You lost, get over it.
These three mascots would look great on a cereal box or box of Quik.
DG -
Blog back from the dead?
It's not back from the dead if the only thing discussed is mascots.
These would look great on some Saturday morning kids special.
Use all three.
Mountain man with his sidekicks Super Elk and Kid Jackalope.
Pretty shocked that no hoops players were drafted last night. We should have 4 or 5 first rounders in the nhl draft
9:47, this is 6:44, I think you are missing the point. I support Boone because he improves the fan experience at sporting events. I came to DU just about the time when Boone was removed and I was glad to see him go. He was a prett dorky mascot I thought as a teenager. But, I had no idea about his history at DU and how so many in Denver community connected Boone as the mascot to DU. And, I didn't really care either. I went through the bird years and saw him generate nothing in the crowd. I saw Boone come back and there was enthusiasm for him. That's why I support him. I have season tickets and he improves the fan atmosphere in Magness. It's not rocket science.
So, the only way I "lose" is if this new mascot sucks as bad as Ruckus. Unfortunately, with those Saturday morning cartoons you came up with I do think I'm going to lose on this one. Congratulations on "winning", duh.
9.55-nice reverse troll ;-)
Anon 9:55...We'll be lucky if we have 1 or 2 drafted in the entire NHL Draft...ie Will Butcher and maybe Trevor Moore and/or Quentin Shore
The Jackalope is classic. I mean hell, if you're gonna go down the route of mythical creatures, might as well get something a bit more...oh I dunno...ferocious?
Clearly did not see Dinosaur or Unicorn on the list and that makes me about as sad as Coombe Daddy on a rainy day. Nothing worse than green copper.
How about the new goalie that Monty picked up? Anyone know how good he is supposed to be?
The Elk and Jackalope are HORRIBLE. The Mountaineer, I could live with.
11:52, it really does seem that this blog, if not dead, is in suspended animation. If you want to discuss DU Hockey, go to the "All Things DU" forum at USCHO.com.
11:52, from what I've read, he's rough around the edges but has a lot of upside potential. Seems to be rapidly rising in the eyes of NHL scouts.
@ 11:52:
Adding to what 12:48 said...
Evan doesn't turn 18 until the end of THIS July and is, by all accounts, coming to school THIS fall.
So, when he arrives on campus, he will be very young and still growing into his 6'4" frame. He will have to hit the weights and training table hard this year and attempt to gain 10-15 lbs of muscle, or he will get knocked around in the college game.
Additionally, prior to this past year in the NAHL, he'd never had any specialized goalie coaching, so the game will probably be WAY too fast for him at the outset. However, a year of studying under Sam while (hopefully) not being counted on to stop pucks should help with that.
Regardless, he is EXTREMELY raw and Lassonde will have a fair bit of work to do with him, but he will be building on a base that has NHL scouts drooling already.
Expect him to go somewhere in rounds 2-5 in the upcoming draft.
Let's not be so quick to judge the jackalope...just add a red vest, horn rim glasses and a bow tie and BINGO!
Actually, all three suck. If the mountaineer makes it, are we to believe that an unshaven white guy wearing a doo rag and wielding a pick ax is inclusive to foreign students and people of color? Please!
I like the second version of the mountaineer that they display in the survey. He's pretty tough looking.
2:55
A tough looking male symbolizes strong male dominance which is verboten to the inclusive crowd.
Reaction to the mascot candidates has been overwhelming negative.
Facebook feedback is running 20-1 against, Clarion article & survey shows 9% support for new drawings.
http://duclarion.com/du-releases-potential-mascots/?fb_action_ids=10151393491022242&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=other_multiline&action_object_map={%2210151393491022242%22%3A185244441643345}&action_type_map={%2210151393491022242%22%3A%22og.likes%22}&action_ref_map=[]
LOL, oh this just keeps getting better and better. So, an angry mule deer, to scare the little kids who come to Magness Arena. GREAT idea! The Mountaineer - why is he wearing a Santa Clause coat? Looks like he's going to beat someone to death with that pick thing.... and look, he's got a sidekick dog to maul little kids too. The Jackalope - way dumb; looks like Bugs Bunny with a bizarre physical growth on his head, and some muscular deformities. With mascots like these, DU better have some damn tough athletic teams who dominate and shut people up with the scoreboard, because the opponents will have a field day - an absolute picnic making fun of DU.
Those three drawings are just plain silly.
Montgomery has a very good shot of landing both Nate Mckinnon and Seth Jones for next year that would certainly make us the number 1 recruting class
@ 2:43...
*sigh*
2:43 they are not eligible for the NCAA
According to one Mock Draft:
http://www.draftsite.com/nhl/mock-draft/2013/
DU recruit Defenseman Will Butcher is projected to go in the 3rd Round.
2014 recruit goalie Evan Cowley is projected to go in the 4th round [Around 10th goalie selected].
Quintin Shore and Trevor Moore will likely be on the bubble.
2014 recruit Jared Fiegl is being mentioned as a possible 2nd Round pick in 2014.
Way to leave the cupboard empty gwoz.Monty should have left his ushl team early. This will be our worse draft year ever.
DU does not have "draft years." The fewer one season and done players we get, the better chance we can actually win a game or two in the ncaa tournament. We need talented players who give a crap about winning for DU while they are here, not players who can't get their minds off their next pro gig.
Amen 11:02
Give me 4 yr. grinders who think D.U. rather then our two year rentals who have a critique talk with their N.H.L. contact after every D.U. game. Their head is already with the N.H.L. team.
....all this, with either a satanic Bugs Bunny, Wally the Moose/Blitzen the Posessed Reindeer, or a buff serial killer wearing half a santa suit and wrestling boots, with a wild, rabid dog at his side as our mascot. Woooo hoooooo this is going to be great
A buff serial killer in a Santa suit and wrestling boots...and you have a problem with that???
Anon 1102 +anon 1123: In Albany a few years back, NHL execs were there hopeing we lose so they could sign DU players. Colborne year. RPI beat us.
Cowley, Butcher are Draftees
Quintin Shore went in the 6th round to Ottawa.
RPI?
I think you mean RIT.
The survey I received from DU about the Mascot is just plain stupid!
If you graduated in 59, you should happy to be alive. Quit your damn whining over some insignificant mascot issue. Go play with your grand kids!
The mascot is really a non-issue....
We support the hockey program.
Old Boone was cheeky.
New Boone is budget.
The bird was stupid.
The new options look equally stupid.
How does ANY mascot contribute to on-ice performance? They don't. So, move on, get over it. If your support for the boys on the ice is tied to some lame mascot, then your priorities are fucked up.
Mascots are part of school spirit. They help create a better fan atmosphere and that results in better performances on the ice.
Boone was a big part of a spirit upgrade at DU - which probably peaked in 2011, when the students were at their most organized.
I haven't quite decided which is worse: our proposed new mascots or the pathetic latent heterosexuals who jerk off here anonymously. Clean up after yourselves, fellers.
Old Pio........ Lay off the prune juice. You sound a little to regular today.
DU just happened to win two national championships basically without any mascot. Don't spout this rubbish that a mascot helps on-ice performance. Ridiculous.
No one is saying that a mascot by itself is going to do anything.
But a mascot combined with a vibrant student section, a band and engaged fans can make a difference. And a great collegiate atmosphere is needed at Magness to draw fans from the Avs, Cutthroats and all the competition thats out there.
What can't be argued is that mascots draw the TV camera coverage on the cutaway shots to commercials. And that free publicity helps reinforce the brand of the Athletic Department.
An effective mascot is just a part of vibrant student support of their school's teams. Every piece helps.
Come on man.
Ruckus was in Boston in 2004.
Made all the difference.
Add gay bashing to Ol P's list of faults.
Can we have a ruling from the games committee? Does "gay bashing" trump being an asshole? More specifically: a pathetic, gutless asshole (who poses as being a DU fan "because I go to the games.") Next thing you know, this putz will accuse me of being anti-Semitic.
Anon 9:57 with a mouth like yours you are the one lucky to be alive!
10:01,the national championships were won on neutral ice. Have you heard of the phrase "home field advantage" before? It's a fact that teams have a better winning percentages at home than away. There's lots of qualitative factors that go into it. Familiarity with the environment, no traveling, biased refereeing, etc. Hockey is actually one of the only sports that has a defined benefit with the obvious advantage of having the last line change. But, we would be remiss if we didn't mention crowd enthusiasm motivating players.
Basketball has no tangible home field advantage other than a familiar environment. However, teams have dramatically better records at home than they do on the road. Are you seriously arguing that crowd involvement has nothing to do with this?
It's just one piece of the puzzle like DG said, but there's no denying crowd enthusiasm has a positive impact on the home team. It's not debatable. The only argument would be trying to quantify this positive impact (e.g. does it get you .25/.5/.75/1/2 more goals per game?). What's also not debatable is that Boone improved the crowd enthusiasm at hockey games. I'll assume that you have been to games and noticed this first hand.
Your argument that a mascot doesn't have any impact on crowd enthusiam and indirectly contributing to the home field advantage is baseless. There's just far too much evidence going against what you are suggesting.
If your point were to be something like: jesus christ guys, how many hundreds or thousands of posts can you have about a silly mascot that has very very minimal impact on the program we support? There's more important things to discuss like the recruit we just signed up today, Evan Janssen, who will have a tremendously greater impact on DU than Boone....then you'd have a point. The comments on Boone are certainly out of proportion to his importance. However, it's a hot button topic and it's July, what do you want?
Further to my post above, in an attempt to quantify home field/ice advantage, here's some statistics from the NHL last year (24 home games and 24 away games):
- home team averaged 2.80 goals while away team averaged 2.51.
- home team averaged 13.63 wins, while away team averaged 10.37 wins.
- home team averaged 29.77 pts, while away team averaged 23.63 points.
- rounded averages, home team goes 14-8-3 on season and away team goes 10-11-3.
- I also took a look at the overall records of WCHA teams last year at home vs. road (which is a little skewed cause teams don't play an equal number of home and away games. I used overall records cause I couldn't easily find WCHA only home vs. away records). WCHA home teams average going 10-7-3, while away teams go 7-8-2.
- DU went 14-7-3 at home. Interestingly enough, they were 14-0-0 when Boone was present and 0-7-3 when he was not. Okay, that last part is made-up, but I believe the rest of the stats are accurate.
I think racist is more encompassing and a more accurate description than just anti-Semitic. The homophobic sentiments that you expressed above are not only insulting to the lifelong bachelor that runs this blog, they also strip away any credibility of the ideas being expressed.
Your witness, Mr. Berger.
It's settled, I, as 10:01, have determined that based on your significantly inadequate arguments that Ruckus was a better mascot. Boone contributed to how many national championships? Out of 7, how many occurred under "Boone's Watch"? How many occurred under Ruckus? Riddle me that, Batmen....
Actually, to continue, this is all an agenda and has nothing to do with anything based in reality.
But, oh yes, the demoralization of not having Boone when he is not in attendance is quite evident on the bench and the feet just don't seem to move when he is not there. (SARCASM [if its not self-evident])
Another article today in the Denver Post. This is getting embarassing!
I am still 10:01....don't think that I do not support Boone. I do. As an attraction, he is worth it. But the thought that having Boone is advantageous to on-ice success is most definitely propaganda that is just not rooted in reality. Which is my point. Boost Boone's credentials but don't defy what he can actually bring, based on fantasy. I have yet to see Boone score a goal (or 3), make a save (or 40), poke check an opposing player to prevent a goal, win a key defensive zone faceoff, throw a body-wrecking hip check, etc......
Throw your mascot support behind what he can actually do! Support moral for fans that actually notice!
Boone brought home two Nattys in '68 & '69.
Another pro Boone article in today's (Sat.) paper plus a pro Boone segment on 850 talk radio this morning. The host really blasted the inclusiveness agenda of the D.U. administration regarding Boone.
The pro Boone momentum is continuing.
So 2=2
It's a wash.
Unless you consider the amount of years each was active.
Still, it equates to the fact that a mascot has no bearing on success.
Boone also "oversaw" a 6 and a 9 win season in the early '90s.
Was that his fault? If a mascot is responsible for success, then he needs be responsible for failure....Correct?
It's cute how this blog died like Donald's and people still post here.
The Clarion has a new article on the controversy surrounding a George Bush humanitarian award by the Korbel School. It is interesting to see the whiplash as the administration reacts to complaints from the left - now they are changing the name of the award. But, when a huge group opposes the elimination of Boone, our voices are not heard. This administration is tone deaf to any view that is different than their insular view of the world.
It is time for new leadership at DU.
http://duclarion.com/controversy-continues-over-korbel-award/
More bungling by the University. If you have a good relationshipo with your professors, it should never lead to a discrimination lawsuit.
What is going on at University & Evans?
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_23628967/du-professor-files-gender-based-lt-br-gt
This is all trivial. Just wait until the true cost of the obama show is uncovered. Can't stay buried forever, stay tuned.
Bush should politely decline since the original offer has been changed.--bait and switch.
I am trying to get 'out in front' of the next big controversy at DU. The following is my best guess:
-New Intramural High Street field uses illegal landfill composed of alumni complaint letters.
-Expose’ shows Provost Gregg Kvistad anonymously dressed as Spider Man in the Boone Harlem Shake.
-The Korbel School actually named Hugo Chavez Humanitarian of the Year but he never responded to the invitation.
-Expelled Chinese students actually outscored California and New Jersey freshmen in English.
-Gwozdecky let go by administration for all male roster.
-New engineering school to reduce carbon footprint by burning conservatives.
-Administration contacted NSA for Kizla’s alumni email list to trigger IRS audit.
-Coombe childhood memoir cites highly unusual relationship with stuffed elk.
-Startling coincidence finds entire DU Mascot search committee cast in both The Walking Dead and World War Z.
tim89
out of the park!
Bases loaded 4 bagger!
W.W.J.D?
(what would Jackalope do)
Currently Boone resembles an Arab terrorist. Just snip off the tail on that hat. Maybe that's why he has to go.
Am I the only one who thinks that Denver Boone looks like an Al Quida leader from Kabul?
W.W.J.D.
What would jackalope do?
Well, obviously, he would be personally responsible for all success of the on-ice successes, of which the actual players have none of. Then he would be non-accountable for any failure (obviously). No wonder ths blog is dead in the water...reality doesn't really exist here...
BTW...I learned how to make $75/hour by jacking off at home...email me for the brochure. It is currently available for only $19.95 plus shipping and handling (LOL, I said "handling" after I said "jacking off", there must be a widget in here somewhere...)
I love the idea of the jackalope. I can see all the frat pledgess tying tiny antlers to rabbits during hell week.
Doubtful you'd be involved. Most fraternities take great care not to pledge dorks.
Stork,
I’m betting that you were a legacy. How about telling a few of those urinal jokes from your frat days.
Who writes your material? Jugdish, Mohhamed, Sydney, Clayton and Lonnie?
https://www.facebook.com/pages/jugdish/44461166327
Hello
Gwoz is heading to the NHL as an assistant coach with the Lightning. Congratulations to George! Gotta love that he’s getting paid by the Lightning and still getting a check for the last year on his contract with DU. Since Peg is paying for two head coaches this year, they should be twice as good, right?
I hope Jimmy is a Broncos fan. DU scheduled a meet the coach party just prior to the 1st pre-season kickoff.
FYI...
The DU Mascot Committee has put forth its final recommendation....
...which is...
...
...
...
(wait for it)
...
...
...
That DU move forward with (get this...) no mascot.
HOORAY FOR FRIVOLOUS WASTES OF TIME AND MONEY!!!
(Link: http://www.denverpost.com/du/ci_23829741/du-pioneers-mascot-committee-recommends-against-adopting-new)
Boone lives!
Total bs. Now that we are out of WCHA, and no seawolves, we need another mythical creature as a mascot in the nchc. Long live jackalobe!
Chit. Jackalope!!
A Jackalope would be the single worst mascot in all of college sports.
So much DU news. So little non-Boone mascot selection. Maybe this blog could make a comeback??
Boone lurks!
I think it’s a given that Monty won’t live up to Gwoz standards. The question is whether he can attain Marshall Johnston numbers or if he is more of a Vern Turner. Monty should track Marshall down to try to find out how you follow a legendary coach. Marshall did an adequate job following Murray Armstrong. With his NHL experience, Monty could shoot for Ralph Backstrom-like results. Monty sure wasn’t the player that Ralph was but maybe he can hope to be his equal behind the bench.
Without the time commitment of blogging, what does DG do with all his spare time?
http://sports.yahoo.com/photos/loggers-jubilee-slideshow/the-jubilee-lawnmower-races-that-have-been-held-since-1977-in-the-jubilee-arena-photo-1376330550144.html;_ylt=AhZw0Fg6C_PbUvo2fMV1dn8GRtcA;_ylu=X3oDMTNrc2o3N3Y3BHBrZwM1YWFkZTljMC0wMzc5LTExZTMtYmUyZi1iZThiZmJiY2Y1ZmQEc2VjA01lZGlhQ2Fyb3VzZWxQaG90b0dhbGxlcnlDQVhIUgR2ZXIDNWI0ZmY2MjgtMDM3OS0xMWUzLWJiZWYtOWQ0MmM1MWIxN2Yy;_ylg=X3oDMTBhYWM1a2sxBGxhbmcDZW4tVVM-;_ylv
Tie games will be more interesting this year. The NCHC is instituting a shootout if still tied after the 5 minute overtime.
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