Michigan is one of the few college programs that doesn’t have a mascot. They’re nicknamed the Wolverines, but they don’t have a goofy guy dressed up in a skunk-like costume, nor do they have someone standing on the sidelines looking like the X-Men comic guy. But if AD Dave Brandon has his way, they may have a mascot cheering on the team in future games.
From the Detroit Free Press:
“We’re interested in doing a mascot but it has to be something that fans love, that children love and everyone can embrace,” AD Dave Brandon said. “So far, we haven’t figured out a way to do it. Until we come up with something we love, we don’t have a mascot.
“Our history and our tradition is great for those of us who were there to experience it, or remember it. But there’s a generation coming up, and you’ve got to connect with them and keep them excited.”
Alright, so I understand where Brandon’s head is and what he’s thinking. He’s a guy who thinks outside the box and even wants to expand The Big House. But Michigan needs to be careful here because it’s not easy to create a pleasing mascot. Sometimes you can get into murky territory and then you end up shuffling your plans several times the way Purdue did, or you can create something people dislike, like Ole Miss. Then you have to worry about the mascot’s behavior at games to make sure it’s not doing stupid things like this.
It’s a nice idea, but it doesn’t always work out well. Anyway, I’d do a tie-in to the comic book character if I were Michigan. What about you?
Chest Bump to Twackle for the story
