Time to get jacked up, its game day on the campus of Ohio State University! Having run down the list and assembled the pieces of my mascot suit things are looking up and im ready to hit the tunnel: Dri-Fit Shirt: Check, Compression Shorts: Check, Leggings and Body: Check, Head: Check, Shoes: Check and Boxing Gloves: Check! Whoa wait boxing gloves, I have to believe that this is not part of the traditional attire of a college sports mascot, or is it? With pregame festivities underway and the team ready to take the field the feeling inside the Horseshoe had to be anything but electric.
As Brutus, the Ohio State University mascot assembled in the corner endzone with the cheerleaders, flag bearers, marching band and players, the stage was set for yet another 5 rounds of mixed martial arts, I mean division non conference college football. As Brutus and Co. made its way to the far endzone a familiar foe, that being the Ohio University Bobcat, was waiting for him with every intention of taking out the beloved, smiley faced Buckeye mascot. But this can't be true right, opposing mascots don't premeditate attacking one another do they? Contrary to popular belief this was definitely the case last weekend when Rufus the Bobcat came onto the field and attacked the Ohio State's mascot Brutus Buckeye.
Having been escorted off the field and subsequently banned from continued participation or affiliation with Ohio University athletic contests, this incident only serves to add value to the laundry list of college mascots to engage in such behavior during athletic sanctioned events. Almost two years to the day I seem to remember Puddles, the University of Oregon mascot, and the Houston Cougar engaging in similar behavior after the Cougar began to perform pushups in front the U of O student section as a way of "emulating" the traditional feat performed by Puddles after every Duck touchdown.
Whether this behavior is pre meditated, meant for humor, or is a legitimate advance in reaction to the actions taken by an opposing mascot, two things come to mind during brawls like this that are serious in nature and must be looked at further. The first is the legal ramifications and the second is whether or not there should be a screening process or policy in place for such actions taken against an opposing teams mascot by the NCAA, Conference or University itself.
While Ohio University has apologized to Ohio State for the incident and also fired the student who was dressed as Rufus Bobcat, it didn't appear that anyone was hurt. Done deal right? But let's look backward and wonder what could have happened had the student playing Brutus Buckeye been hurt. While he was presumably protected somewhat by his mascot costume, I'm sure he or she could have been hurt, especially when sucker punched by the other mascot mutiple time in the face and groin.
If the student was injured, it would seem that Ohio University could have been sued under a vicarious liability claim. On the other hand, does a student playing a mascot, in this case Brutus Buckeye, assume certain risks of injury? But even if he or she does assume some risks, would getting attacked by a fellow mascot really be one of them? Of course here in lies the question, should the NCAA and affiliated organizations require a screening process for applicants, or is this just one of those run of the mill things that we are going to have to just deal with on an individual basis.
Having been a mascot myself, serving as Peter the Anteater during a short stint during the Big West Basketball tournament and the Big West Mascot Mayhem event at ESPN Zone at Downtown Disney, I myself have been in a situation where I was not only representing an academic institution, but was also competing directly with the other eight other mascots that make up the Big West Conference. Having hung out with these guys for two days working on photos shoots, promotional videos and competing at the event, it was apparent to me that once the suit goes on you really have no sense of who is behind the mask, let alone if they are capable of defending themselves in a similar situation.
Ultimately I think the responsibility falls on those that choose to participate. As a representative and the face of your school during athletic contests, you take a on level of ownership that is synonymous with the position and it must be looked at as a professional experience or job. To say the being a mascot is for everyone is an understatement, but those of you that choose to don the suit and show up must do so with the intention of being spirited, supporting 'your' school and entertaining those in attendance who have come to watch the game. The eyes of the arena, stadium and faithful are always upon you, it is important to act as a professional and represent your school in a way that embodies the principles with which it was established regardless of the rivalry, outcome or event.
*For highlights from last weekends brawl click on the title of this article
Time to get jacked up, its game day on the campus of Ohio State University! Having run down the list and assembled the pieces of my mascot suit things are looking up and im ready to hit the tunnel: Dri-Fit Shirt: Check, Compression Shorts: Check, Leggings and Body: Check, Head: Check, Shoes: Check and Boxing Gloves: Check! Whoa wait boxing gloves, I have to believe that this is not part of the traditional attire of a college sports mascot, or is it? With pregame festivities underway and the team ready to take the field the feeling inside the Horseshoe had to be anything but electric.
As Brutus, the Ohio State University mascot assembled in the corner endzone with the cheerleaders, flag bearers, marching band and players, the stage was set for yet another 5 rounds of mixed martial arts, I mean division non conference college football. As Brutus and Co. made its way to the far endzone a familiar foe, that being the Ohio University Bobcat, was waiting for him with every intention of taking out the beloved, smiley faced Buckeye mascot. But this can't be true right, opposing mascots don't premeditate attacking one another do they? Contrary to popular belief this was definitely the case last weekend when Rufus the Bobcat came onto the field and attacked the Ohio State's mascot Brutus Buckeye.
Having been escorted off the field and subsequently banned from continued participation or affiliation with Ohio University athletic contests, this incident only serves to add value to the laundry list of college mascots to engage in such behavior during athletic sanctioned events. Almost two years to the day I seem to remember Puddles, the University of Oregon mascot, and the Houston Cougar engaging in similar behavior after the Cougar began to perform pushups in front the U of O student section as a way of "emulating" the traditional feat performed by Puddles after every Duck touchdown.
Whether this behavior is pre meditated, meant for humor, or is a legitimate advance in reaction to the actions taken by an opposing mascot, two things come to mind during brawls like this that are serious in nature and must be looked at further. The first is the legal ramifications and the second is whether or not there should be a screening process or policy in place for such actions taken against an opposing teams mascot by the NCAA, Conference or University itself.
While Ohio University has apologized to Ohio State for the incident and also fired the student who was dressed as Rufus Bobcat, it didn't appear that anyone was hurt. Done deal right? But let's look backward and wonder what could have happened had the student playing Brutus Buckeye been hurt. While he was presumably protected somewhat by his mascot costume, I'm sure he or she could have been hurt, especially when sucker punched by the other mascot mutiple time in the face and groin.
If the student was injured, it would seem that Ohio University could have been sued under a vicarious liability claim. On the other hand, does a student playing a mascot, in this case Brutus Buckeye, assume certain risks of injury? But even if he or she does assume some risks, would getting attacked by a fellow mascot really be one of them? Of course here in lies the question, should the NCAA and affiliated organizations require a screening process for applicants, or is this just one of those run of the mill things that we are going to have to just deal with on an individual basis.
Having been a mascot myself, serving as Peter the Anteater during a short stint during the Big West Basketball tournament and the Big West Mascot Mayhem event at ESPN Zone at Downtown Disney, I myself have been in a situation where I was not only representing an academic institution, but was also competing directly with the other eight other mascots that make up the Big West Conference. Having hung out with these guys for two days working on photos shoots, promotional videos and competing at the event, it was apparent to me that once the suit goes on you really have no sense of who is behind the mask, let alone if they are capable of defending themselves in a similar situation.
Ultimately I think the responsibility falls on those that choose to participate. As a representative and the face of your school during athletic contests, you take a on level of ownership that is synonymous with the position and it must be looked at as a professional experience or job. To say the being a mascot is for everyone is an understatement, but those of you that choose to don the suit and show up must do so with the intention of being spirited, supporting 'your' school and entertaining those in attendance who have come to watch the game. The eyes of the arena, stadium and faithful are always upon you, it is important to act as a professional and represent your school in a way that embodies the principles with which it was established regardless of the rivalry, outcome or event.
*For highlights from last weekends brawl click on the title of this article
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