2008 Woodie Awards
It's not chess; it's our school spirit
Guest Colomnist
Issue date: 10/9/07 Section: Opinion
We have school spirit, yes we do. How do we show it? Well, we have a spirit rock (which I feel is one of the coolest aspects of spirit on campus), and we have an over-sized bronze cougar statue placed (as many feel) inconveniently in front of the Morris University Center. Cool, our spirit shines through.
Hold up. How many people on our campus have done research into our new "spirit" statue? Well, luckily I did, because I was about to go off on some tangent about why the statue is obviously male (for those of you who haven't noticed, you should go look at what I am talking about). Instead, through some simple research, this writer was able to uncover one sneaky little secret: our "spirit" statue, it's one of five.
Interesting … you see, I was under the impression that this statue was made for our school by an artist, basing the image on that of one of the previous cougars. Well, now I am a little confused. We just spent $39,000 on a big ol' bronze statue, that's supposed to represent SIUE and it's "Cougar Pride," yet it's part of a set? It's part of a set in which one other has already been bought?
So, that must mean that somewhere in America, SIUE's mascot is "taking stalk" on someone else's campus, or business hall, or whatever? Is that supposed to just sit well with the students on this campus?
Here are some facts ('cause everyone knows how much I love facts): Our school mascot is nothing more than a piece in a set. Our school mascot wasn't even commissioned specifically for our school. Our new school mascot is not even based on one of our original mascots.
It's silly, really. I wasn't offended that our mascot had testicles - even though I feel it's entirely unnecessary. I mean, whatever; Men rule the world at this point in our civilization, anyway. I am offended, however, that our school just spent $39,000 on a piece from a set. We had $39,000, two previous mascots and nothing but pictures to show for those mascots. Chimega is buried on campus somewhere (in a location in which I have yet to discover), and Kyna was given away. Now we have some imposter cougar image sitting in front of the Morris University Center, as a well as "an inspiration for tradition." What are we inspiring - unoriginality?
Hopefully this article inspires some thought about whether or not that $39,000 was really "well spent," or if the school just needed another reason to blow some cash that might have been put to a better use. Parking garage, anyone?
Hold up. How many people on our campus have done research into our new "spirit" statue? Well, luckily I did, because I was about to go off on some tangent about why the statue is obviously male (for those of you who haven't noticed, you should go look at what I am talking about). Instead, through some simple research, this writer was able to uncover one sneaky little secret: our "spirit" statue, it's one of five.
Interesting … you see, I was under the impression that this statue was made for our school by an artist, basing the image on that of one of the previous cougars. Well, now I am a little confused. We just spent $39,000 on a big ol' bronze statue, that's supposed to represent SIUE and it's "Cougar Pride," yet it's part of a set? It's part of a set in which one other has already been bought?
So, that must mean that somewhere in America, SIUE's mascot is "taking stalk" on someone else's campus, or business hall, or whatever? Is that supposed to just sit well with the students on this campus?
Here are some facts ('cause everyone knows how much I love facts): Our school mascot is nothing more than a piece in a set. Our school mascot wasn't even commissioned specifically for our school. Our new school mascot is not even based on one of our original mascots.
It's silly, really. I wasn't offended that our mascot had testicles - even though I feel it's entirely unnecessary. I mean, whatever; Men rule the world at this point in our civilization, anyway. I am offended, however, that our school just spent $39,000 on a piece from a set. We had $39,000, two previous mascots and nothing but pictures to show for those mascots. Chimega is buried on campus somewhere (in a location in which I have yet to discover), and Kyna was given away. Now we have some imposter cougar image sitting in front of the Morris University Center, as a well as "an inspiration for tradition." What are we inspiring - unoriginality?
Hopefully this article inspires some thought about whether or not that $39,000 was really "well spent," or if the school just needed another reason to blow some cash that might have been put to a better use. Parking garage, anyone?
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 5
TrixieD
Finally! (And, go Copy Cats!)
posted 10/09/07 @ 6:59 PM CST
David FINALLY writes a good opinion column. I was kind of getting tired of all the 'poor me' stuff and was hoping that he would do something like this. (Continued…)
Carl B. Mitchell
posted 10/10/07 @ 7:05 PM CST
YOU TELL 'EM NIKKI!!!!!
It's funny that he claims to have done research...
Jon Shumaker
Jon Shumaker
posted 10/12/07 @ 6:30 AM CST
I would like to back 100% of what Nikki said about the statue and even elaborate a little more on it. For Mr. Whitacre to make the allegations that he makes about the origin, history, cost, and placement of the statue, maybe he should talk to a few more students. (Continued…)
Anonymous
posted 10/12/07 @ 6:07 PM CST
I just find it funny that Mr. Whitacre focused so much on the fact that the Cougar has testicles and that the university is sexist for featuring this. (Continued…)
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