Colin McEnroe Show: Mascotology

Examining the wacky world of mascots in Connecticut and abroad.

By The Colin McEnroe Show

Published: Jul 02, 2010

Slideshow

Purdue Pete stares into your soul.

Photo:Flickr Creative Commons, ckroberts61

Nightmare Ant

Photo:Image Courtesy Deadspin.com

St. Louis Cardinals "Fredbird"

Photo:Wikimedia Commons

Providence Friar

Photo:Providence College

Colin McEnroe and WNPR Mascot Clarence

Photo:Chion Wolf

Mascots for 2012 Olympics

Photo:MyLondon2012.com

Oklahoma City Thunder's Rumble the Bison

Photo:Oklahoma City Thunder

Chicago Southpaw

Photo:Wikimedia Commons

WuShock of Wichita State University

Photo:Wichita State University

Colin McEnroe Show: Mascotology

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Colin McEnroe Show: Mascotology

This is a subject to which I have devoted WAY too much thought, but I do have some theories about what makes a mascot -- I mean a person-in-a costume mascot -- either delightful or terrifying.

If it resembles an actual animal, you're usually on safe ground. The guy in the UConn Husky suit is not scary and neither is Rocky, the New Britain Rocky Cat, although I've never understood what kind of actual animal a Rock Cat is.

If their faces are smiling in a benign way, that's good. Wally the Green Monster of the Red Sox looks like a muppet and a nice muppet at that.

Mascots get scary when (a) it's an animal making a mean or deranged face an animal never world make or (b) it's a person or a thing.

Purdue Pete, who I guess is a boilermaker, but with scary oval eyes and a jutting Jay Leno chin is currently my most terrifying mascot. He often carries a big hammer.

You can join the conversation. What makes a good mascot? Leave your comments below, e-mail colin@wnpr.org or Tweet us @wnprcolin.

***This episode was produced by Tucker Ives.***