Post by germanathens on May 6, 2005 17:41:28 GMT -6
Received this email today. Major news in Madison...
MADISON; In a stunning move today, a focus group consisting of over 32 concerned alumni and former University of Wisconsin graduates announced plans to change the mascot of our state university from "Badgers" to "Red". The move came after months of speculation that the committee might move away from the more offensive name "Badgers" due to mounting concerns for the feelings of the meek animal. In a statement, Athletic Director Barry Alvarez noted, "I have always had a deep admiration for the badger, however after meeting with several of the little critters, I realized that we were boxing them in and promoting stereotypes by continuing to use them as a mascot."
The university has been wrangling with the decision due to increasing pressure from animal rights activists and friends of the university who were concerned with the image the school was portraying with the badger mascot. Chancellor John Wiley noted, "After watching a high school in Milwaukee go through similar problems with their mascot, we decided to be proactive and ahead of the curve on this one. We believe that the new name "Red" will be synonymous with pride, hard work and the commitment to higher learning that this university is all about." It should be noted that Wiley was referring to Marquette University in his statement when he incorrectly identified it as a "high school in Milwaukee".
Reaction to the change on campus has been overwhelmingly favorable. Students, faculty and alumni are excited about the new name, and the promise that it holds. Harry Tallcoldone, a junior majoring in alcoholism was optimistic, "I really believe that the university made the right decision. This name gives us a new start, and finally an identity. Also, Bad-ger was difficult to chant sometimes when we would get drunk at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee while pounding the junior varsity team at Marquette. The one syllable "red" will be so much easier to remember after fourteen Miller Lites too". Evanah Humpalot, a senior majoring in physical eduction who sat on the student advisory panel which contributed to the name change said that the process was very interesting to watch unfold, "I feel pride being a part of this decision. To be involved in a monumental change of this nature is something that every freshman coming to this university dreams of. I know that "green" and "blue" put up good fights, but in the end, "red" was the name that just fit our plans, our dreams, and our vision. I couldn't be any happier."
The university has asked all Wisconsin supporters to embrace the change immediately. All "badger" gear, may be exchanged at Gate B of the Kohl Center on Friday for new "Red" gear. The exchange will take place starting at 3:00 AM (to accommodate students returning from local watering holes). Noted Pat Richter, former athletic director and former Wisconsin great, "I am looking forward to watching our Wisconsin fans get behind this. The only thing I can say is that I wish the change had come under my tenure as athletic director. However, at that time, people were stuck on this notion that "badgers" was the perfect nickname. A lot of credit on this change goes out to Father Wild, Tom Crean and the rest of the folks down at Marquette. They really opened the doors to change that enabled us to make this move."
It a related story, several local businesses will be changing their names effective Friday. Those businesses include: Badger Bus (Red Bus), Badger Bowl (Red Bowl), Badger Liquor (Red Liquor), Badger Radio Network (Red Radio Network). We will keep you updated on any further changes associated with the monumental announcement that the "badger" mascot has been scrapped for the new and improved "Red".
MADISON; In a stunning move today, a focus group consisting of over 32 concerned alumni and former University of Wisconsin graduates announced plans to change the mascot of our state university from "Badgers" to "Red". The move came after months of speculation that the committee might move away from the more offensive name "Badgers" due to mounting concerns for the feelings of the meek animal. In a statement, Athletic Director Barry Alvarez noted, "I have always had a deep admiration for the badger, however after meeting with several of the little critters, I realized that we were boxing them in and promoting stereotypes by continuing to use them as a mascot."
The university has been wrangling with the decision due to increasing pressure from animal rights activists and friends of the university who were concerned with the image the school was portraying with the badger mascot. Chancellor John Wiley noted, "After watching a high school in Milwaukee go through similar problems with their mascot, we decided to be proactive and ahead of the curve on this one. We believe that the new name "Red" will be synonymous with pride, hard work and the commitment to higher learning that this university is all about." It should be noted that Wiley was referring to Marquette University in his statement when he incorrectly identified it as a "high school in Milwaukee".
Reaction to the change on campus has been overwhelmingly favorable. Students, faculty and alumni are excited about the new name, and the promise that it holds. Harry Tallcoldone, a junior majoring in alcoholism was optimistic, "I really believe that the university made the right decision. This name gives us a new start, and finally an identity. Also, Bad-ger was difficult to chant sometimes when we would get drunk at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee while pounding the junior varsity team at Marquette. The one syllable "red" will be so much easier to remember after fourteen Miller Lites too". Evanah Humpalot, a senior majoring in physical eduction who sat on the student advisory panel which contributed to the name change said that the process was very interesting to watch unfold, "I feel pride being a part of this decision. To be involved in a monumental change of this nature is something that every freshman coming to this university dreams of. I know that "green" and "blue" put up good fights, but in the end, "red" was the name that just fit our plans, our dreams, and our vision. I couldn't be any happier."
The university has asked all Wisconsin supporters to embrace the change immediately. All "badger" gear, may be exchanged at Gate B of the Kohl Center on Friday for new "Red" gear. The exchange will take place starting at 3:00 AM (to accommodate students returning from local watering holes). Noted Pat Richter, former athletic director and former Wisconsin great, "I am looking forward to watching our Wisconsin fans get behind this. The only thing I can say is that I wish the change had come under my tenure as athletic director. However, at that time, people were stuck on this notion that "badgers" was the perfect nickname. A lot of credit on this change goes out to Father Wild, Tom Crean and the rest of the folks down at Marquette. They really opened the doors to change that enabled us to make this move."
It a related story, several local businesses will be changing their names effective Friday. Those businesses include: Badger Bus (Red Bus), Badger Bowl (Red Bowl), Badger Liquor (Red Liquor), Badger Radio Network (Red Radio Network). We will keep you updated on any further changes associated with the monumental announcement that the "badger" mascot has been scrapped for the new and improved "Red".
