This site is great and I applaud you for having this public forum for feedback...it is not VU's style (see Alumni magazine letter's to the editor section for example - there is none).
Your first issue is to address the mascot debacle. The costume and execution is horrible and brands the university very poorly. Can you please post update on this?
I got nothing against the costume, but man whoever is the mascot needs to learn to dance. At least more then the stroll across the court pumping their first.
They are suppose to be redoing the head. They needed to get the thing out and didn't have enough time to finalize it in the original costume.
Quote from: vu72 on April 01, 2011, 12:22:00 PM
They are suppose to be redoing the head. They needed to get the thing out and didn't have enough time to finalize it in the original costume.
That makes perfect sense since they just borrowed Bender's helmet.
Related...
New Purdue Pete Retired after less than a week on the job (http://www.indystar.com/article/20110413/SPORTS0602/110413019/New-Purdue-Pete-retired-after-less-than-week-job?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CSports%7Cp)
QuoteFaced with mounting criticism about the Purdue sideline mascot's new look, Purdue officials this afternoon announced that they would reinstate the previous version of the big-headed Pete.
"The fans have spoken, and we are listening. They like the Purdue Pete they've known for the last 30 years, and that's the one we're going with," athletics director Morgan Burke said.
Pete, who has undergone several changes over the years, last changed looks in 1989.
You mean to tell me the administration listened to the fans? What a concept!
Now, don't worry Valpo fans, you'll still get the gender neutral, politically correct version...like it or not.
The new head of the Crusader mascot will be revealed soon, likely by Tuesday of next week.
(http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/218066_10150160697223632_55541153631_6558707_7842625_n.jpg)
The discussion continues... Scott Ochander and IMC will be holding a pair of presentations on Tuesday, April 26 to discuss the mascot (4-5:30) and tour the "war room" where the staff works on the brand (7-8:30). The place where I got the info was just advertised for students, but if anyone else is around, I'd like to think they'd you come if there's room.
Shouldn't advertise such things! milanmiracle will be crushed to think the Valpo Administration would actually care!!
Those clown feet could go too for all I care
Quote from: vu72 on April 20, 2011, 01:52:54 PM
Shouldn't advertise such things! milanmiracle will be crushed to think the Valpo Administration would actually care!!
Very funny, very funny!
I could do without the Pleather looking outfit myself...it reminds me of a 70's oldsmobile interior...yikes. I guess there was a sale on vinyl that day.
Does the poster really need "or her" added? It's that sort of ridiculousness that gave us the "trash can" head in the first place.
Quote from: mj on April 20, 2011, 07:24:37 PM
Does the poster really need "or her" added? It's that sort of ridiculousness that gave us the "trash can" head in the first place.
Isn't the poster trying to be funny? I thought it was a humorous touch, myself.
I'm going to trot out this ridiculous sounding statement once again, because I truly believe it: it has become politically correct to attack political correctness.
I hadn't seen any photos of the new head of the crusader, but there are lots of photos of the crusader on the valpo flickr page. Here's one:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/6073638030/#in/photostream (http://www.flickr.com/photos/valparaiso_university/6073638030/#in/photostream)
Wow, that looks much better.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6065/6073605898_70c0946462_z.jpg)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6073638030_d2f4e55998_z.jpg)
Much better than the modified trash can look for the previous helmet :lol:
I can't even tell the difference.
Quote from: StlVUFan on August 30, 2011, 09:53:04 PM
I can't even tell the difference.
Well the only difference is the helmet, which looks more like a knight helmet now and less like Bender's head...
Quote from: KL31NY on August 30, 2011, 10:35:05 PM
Quote from: StlVUFan on August 30, 2011, 09:53:04 PM
I can't even tell the difference.
Well the only difference is the helmet, which looks more like a knight helmet now and less like Bender's head...
From the old board...
QuoteQuoteHey... at least our new awesome mascot was unveiled!
(http://www.valpoathletics.com/media/miscellaneous/2010-11/Crusader.jpg)
Wow... :(
(http://www.weirdwarp.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/bender.jpg)
Who said there's no such thing as evolution? Haha.
Quote from: KL31NY on August 30, 2011, 10:35:05 PM
Quote from: StlVUFan on August 30, 2011, 09:53:04 PM
I can't even tell the difference.
Well the only difference is the helmet, which looks more like a knight helmet now and less like Bender's head...
Still can't see a difference.
Still U-G-L-Y
the helmet is more rounded. that's the only real difference. and i'm with rlh - it's definitely still an eyesore.
I just want to know who came up with the idea that the Crusader should be gender neutral and thus not have a face. Because I think that's the problem.
Quote from: StlVUFan on August 31, 2011, 12:20:10 PM
Quote from: KL31NY on August 30, 2011, 10:35:05 PM
Quote from: StlVUFan on August 30, 2011, 09:53:04 PM
I can't even tell the difference.
OK, look carefully. The helmet is rounder and come to a point. The face mask now protrudes rather than being flush to the helmet. There are eye openings above the mask. There is also a clear difference between the helmet and the rest of the outfit. Before it was the same brown. I think it is a definite improvement and overall just fine with me, although it would be cool to have him/her ride in on a white horse like in the old days!!
Well the only difference is the helmet, which looks more like a knight helmet now and less like Bender's head...
Still can't see a difference.
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/6073642270_e2995821ea_z.jpg)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6073655030_8fa264181c_z.jpg)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6073618744_9299c9d2f0.jpg)
(http://valparaiso.scoutware.net/mkg/u/2-2-2010%203-47-12%20PM.png)
(http://northwestindianarealestateblog.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/5/5/5/ar122633292355514.jpg)
(http://www.valpo.edu/common/images/news/847.jpg)
Anyone who doesn't see an improvement in the head probably already made up their mind they wouldn't like it before they saw it. I think a faceless mascot can work. Don't necessarily like the rationale, but USF works pretty pretty well without a face. I think they need some tweaking to the suit itself now, since the head is a bit too large for the body and they're not going for a cartoony look. I think the mask should be white, and the gloves could be a bit better. The thing on the top of the head looks a bit silly, but I'm not sure how that could be better.
I do think it's an upgrade from the old crusader. I was quite embarrassed by both mascots, but this new one looks a lot more normal. As long as he doesn't dance really terribly, I'm happy with it.
If you're going to make it a "Crusader", then you need to make the mask look more like a Knight's headgear, and the shoes be sandals....otherwise it looks like a cartoon...we had that with the previous mascot, and apparently the new people in charge didn't like that....I'm sorry, but this thing is still ridiculous.... >:(
(http://noclipmode.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/mascot-costumes.jpg)
Look at this picture of famous college mascots and then look at ours. I've said it before but I'm pretty sure the new mascot was designed by someone who had never watched a sporting event.
What makes a mascot great is it's face. And probably its eyes more than anything else. Even the UCF Knight has eyes. The mascots above can convey emotions. The new Crusader is a blank face. I guess giving the Crusader eyes would somehow show it had a gender or ethnicity or something that we don't want it to have.
Mascots are supposed to be funny. They entertain us. You look at the mascots above and you picture them doing funny things. The old Crusader was goofy. Somewhere there's a picture of the old Crusader at the end of a game we lost (maybe at the old Mid-Con tournament) and the Crusader has its head buried in its hands. And you look at it and laugh because it looks ridiculous.
Quote from: mj on September 01, 2011, 12:44:27 AM
(http://noclipmode.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/mascot-costumes.jpg)
Look at this picture of famous college mascots and then look at ours. I've said it before but I'm pretty sure the new mascot was designed by someone who had never watched a sporting event.
What makes a mascot great is it's face. And probably its eyes more than anything else. Even the UCF Knight has eyes. The mascots above can convey emotions. The new Crusader is a blank face. I guess giving the Crusader eyes would somehow show it had a gender or ethnicity or something that we don't want it to have.
Mascots are supposed to be funny. They entertain us. You look at the mascots above and you picture them doing funny things. The old Crusader was goofy. Somewhere there's a picture of the old Crusader at the end of a game we lost (maybe at the old Mid-Con tournament) and the Crusader has its head buried in its hands. And you look at it and laugh because it looks ridiculous.
This says it all. With no face, it's nothing more than a suit of armor with one unchangeable emotion - cold.
Those are all non-human depicted mascots. Why would any animal have their face concealed? As it stands, I think they tried to match the logo, and it looks much better than the old mascot. The old mascot was poorly done. The smile on the face wasn't the least bit intimidating, and looked really goofy. The flap under the face was a bit out of place, and the mask looked cheap. The new one isn't that great, but the old one was pretty embarrassing.
And I'm not sure why it's argued the new one doesn't have eyes. I'm not sure where they'd add the eyes unless the whole face was shown.
Does anybody think that putting a pair of eyes right behind the grill on the helmet would help? Maybe a pair of eyes similar in size to the ones on the old mascot but a bit more menacing. You can do "menacing" eyes and still have the mascot be kid friendly.
Come on guys, would you really rather have Western Kentucky's (see pictures above)with, apparently, his tongue hanging out, or Brutus the Buckeye? some time you feel like a nut...sometimes you don't! And, oh by the way, is the nut a male or female?? :crazy:
Quote from: a3uge on September 01, 2011, 08:15:51 AM
The old mascot was poorly done. The smile on the face wasn't the least bit intimidating, and looked really goofy. The flap under the face was a bit out of place, and the mask looked cheap. The new one isn't that great, but the old one was pretty embarrassing.
If the designers of the "new" Crusader were really concerned about the look of the old face, they would have redesigned it - not eliminate it. As others have said, this is someone's feeble attempt at political correctness. It probably would have been better received 5 or 10 years ago before people started saying enough is enough relative to political correctness run amuck.
Well, we now know what a child between Sam the Eagle and Bender would look like. The new face guard resembles a beak, and the old helmet looked like Bender spray painted brown.
Seriously, this is the best they could come up with? Heck, Michigan City Rogers "Raider" was better and that was a high school costume.
Quote from: a3uge on August 31, 2011, 10:12:14 PM
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6067/6073642270_e2995821ea_z.jpg)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6085/6073655030_8fa264181c_z.jpg)
(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6208/6073618744_9299c9d2f0.jpg)
(http://valparaiso.scoutware.net/mkg/u/2-2-2010%203-47-12%20PM.png)
(http://northwestindianarealestateblog.com/image_store/uploads/4/1/5/5/5/ar122633292355514.jpg)
(http://www.valpo.edu/common/images/news/847.jpg)
Anyone who doesn't see an improvement in the head probably already made up their mind they wouldn't like it before they saw it.
You mean the eye-holes? That's the improvement, right? I finally saw it.
If you think I'm anti-the new mascot, you have me confused with others. I believe I'm on record as being indifferent to the mascot. I was fine with the old one, I was fine with the one last year, I'm fine with this new one with the eye-holes (actually eye-slots might be more accurate).
Mascots aren't that important to me. They're fun, but they don't mean that much to me.
StlVUFan, I think you need some glasses if that's the only difference you can see! ;)
Quote from: historyman on September 01, 2011, 08:47:40 AM
Does anybody think that putting a pair of eyes right behind the grill on the helmet would help? Maybe a pair of eyes similar in size to the ones on the old mascot but a bit more menacing. You can do "menacing" eyes and still have the mascot be kid friendly.
Something behind the grill would be interesting, but I doubt anyone will do it. I interviewed a couple people at IMC last year about the mascot, and they sounded firm that would not add "true facial features" to the Crusader. They would prefer to have nothing there instead of having a true face on it that has no animation or movement.
I'm going to comment on this mascot deal even though I promised myself I wouldn't.
Three comments.
(1) Guys...it's only a mascot. Geez.
(2) Conducted a completely unscientific survey yesterday in a meeting attended by 6 non-VU people. Showed 'em a picture of the mascot and asked 'em what they thought. 5 liked it...a lot. 1 didn't. I think it's neat.
(3) Folks on this board have complained that the mascot is "cartoonish" and is not capable of displaying emotions since there is no face. Can someone tell me why the Buckeye mascot is not cartoonish? Or the Syracuse orange thing? And how in the heck does the Buckeye (or an orange) display emotion? The face REMAINS THE SAME. The only way that mascot can display emotion is to pump his fists (a Buckeye touchdown!) or raise his arms to his head in anguish (a Buckeye turnover! Or a letter from the NCAA!) Isn't that what our Crusader guy can do also?
'Nuff said. I realize I'm in the minority on this one. Go VU!
Paul
Quote from: 78crusader on September 02, 2011, 09:46:58 AM
I'm going to comment on this mascot deal even though I promised myself I wouldn't.
Three comments.
(1) Guys...it's only a mascot. Geez.
(2) Conducted a completely unscientific survey yesterday in a meeting attended by 6 non-VU people. Showed 'em a picture of the mascot and asked 'em what they thought. 5 liked it...a lot. 1 didn't. I think it's neat.
(3) Folks on this board have complained that the mascot is "cartoonish" and is not capable of displaying emotions since there is no face. Can someone tell me why the Buckeye mascot is not cartoonish? Or the Syracuse orange thing? And how in the heck does the Buckeye (or an orange) display emotion? The face REMAINS THE SAME. The only way that mascot can display emotion is to pump his fists (a Buckeye touchdown!) or raise his arms to his head in anguish (a Buckeye turnover! Or a letter from the NCAA!) Isn't that what our Crusader guy can do also?
'Nuff said. I realize I'm in the minority on this one. Go VU!
Paul
:clap: :clap:
Quote from: vu72 on September 02, 2011, 09:55:59 AM
Quote from: 78crusader on September 02, 2011, 09:46:58 AM
I'm going to comment on this mascot deal even though I promised myself I wouldn't.
Three comments.
(1) Guys...it's only a mascot. Geez.
(2) Conducted a completely unscientific survey yesterday in a meeting attended by 6 non-VU people. Showed 'em a picture of the mascot and asked 'em what they thought. 5 liked it...a lot. 1 didn't. I think it's neat.
(3) Folks on this board have complained that the mascot is "cartoonish" and is not capable of displaying emotions since there is no face. Can someone tell me why the Buckeye mascot is not cartoonish? Or the Syracuse orange thing? And how in the heck does the Buckeye (or an orange) display emotion? The face REMAINS THE SAME. The only way that mascot can display emotion is to pump his fists (a Buckeye touchdown!) or raise his arms to his head in anguish (a Buckeye turnover! Or a letter from the NCAA!) Isn't that what our Crusader guy can do also?
'Nuff said. I realize I'm in the minority on this one. Go VU!
Paul
:clap: :clap:
My problem is it looks homemade...like someone did it in their garage...sorry, that's the way I see it
Quote from: rlh on September 02, 2011, 10:07:02 AM
Quote from: vu72 on September 02, 2011, 09:55:59 AM
Quote from: 78crusader on September 02, 2011, 09:46:58 AM
I'm going to comment on this mascot deal even though I promised myself I wouldn't.
Three comments.
(1) Guys...it's only a mascot. Geez.
(2) Conducted a completely unscientific survey yesterday in a meeting attended by 6 non-VU people. Showed 'em a picture of the mascot and asked 'em what they thought. 5 liked it...a lot. 1 didn't. I think it's neat.
(3) Folks on this board have complained that the mascot is "cartoonish" and is not capable of displaying emotions since there is no face. Can someone tell me why the Buckeye mascot is not cartoonish? Or the Syracuse orange thing? And how in the heck does the Buckeye (or an orange) display emotion? The face REMAINS THE SAME. The only way that mascot can display emotion is to pump his fists (a Buckeye touchdown!) or raise his arms to his head in anguish (a Buckeye turnover! Or a letter from the NCAA!) Isn't that what our Crusader guy can do also?
'Nuff said. I realize I'm in the minority on this one. Go VU!
Paul
:clap: :clap:
My problem is it looks homemade...like someone did it in their garage...sorry, that's the way I see it
That's my biggest problem too, well now that they've fixed the Bender head. It looks cheap, and not just cheap, but I shot the vinyl interior of my 70's Oldsmobile cheap. The Butler Bulldog cost $14,000 and this thing looks like it cost $140. It looks very high school and not D1 college...
I just want to know....can the mascot dance? Last year's person inside the suit was not a very good dancer. I need a mascot that can dance, dunk off a trampoline and, if provoked, take down the opposing mascot.
The new head is an improvement, but it's still a pretty terrible costume. If they're adament about keeping this current look, the next step they need to do is provide more puffiness and muscles to the body -- add some level of hyperbole to the outfit. I think it would go a long way, although the result would still not be as good as the previous mascot. mj said it well, "I'm pretty sure the new mascot was designed by someone who had never watched a sporting event." And as others have pointed out, the outfit looks cheap and homemade like it was done in someone's garage. The old mascot was on par with the hundreds of other NCAA mascots -- even the big boys -- but the new one looks outclassed because it's essentially a cotton/plastic Mighty Morphin Power Ranger costume you grab at KMart the day before halloween.
Have you seen "Spartie", the Michigan State mascot? Talk about a terrible looking mascot...and it's at a Big 10 or 11 or 12 school!!! And how about the IPFW mascot! Compared to those, we're looking good.
http://www.google.com/imgres?q=holy+cross+university+crusader&hl=en&sa=G&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&biw=1280&bih=871&tbs=ic:color&tbm=isch&tbnid=AO3k-eI_K70slM:&imgrefurl=http://goholycross.com/sports/m-tennis/index&docid=lhP0T_sPQmvaOM&w=300&h=400&ei=OF1zTtyQL4fc0QHqi9GVBA&zoom=1 (http://www.google.com/imgres?q=holy+cross+university+crusader&hl=en&sa=G&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&biw=1280&bih=871&tbs=ic:color&tbm=isch&tbnid=AO3k-eI_K70slM:&imgrefurl=http://goholycross.com/sports/m-tennis/index&docid=lhP0T_sPQmvaOM&w=300&h=400&ei=OF1zTtyQL4fc0QHqi9GVBA&zoom=1)
And you think this looks better than our Crusader??
I think it is more than one kid that is the mascot and I believe I saw that they get paid for being the mascot.
But who is teaching them? Do they practice? Since last year was the first year with the new mascot, I'll allow that it would take some time to figure things out, but hopefully things will be better this year?
A lot of people complain about the dancing but really for most of the football season and maybe the first half of basketball season last year, all I remember is the crusader strutting around and maybe doing some fist pumping, so when the dancing started I thought that was funny, and better than just awkwardly standing around.
anyway, agreed, it's not a huge deal. Its just fun to have something to watch during breaks in the action.
when i saw the crusader at the football game, I thought there was something different about it, but I wasn't sure what. Seeing the pictures, I guess it looks less like something I could have made my kids for halloween?
We were having a discussion on Valpo Uniform colors in a thread started yesterday, and I was looking back to see if there was ever any disussion about the Crusader Mascot and found this old threat. The conversation here was very funny by the way, especially StlVUfan. I wanted to re-visit the Crusader Mascot now that the newest version has been with us for awhile.
Has the current version of the Crusader Mascot grown on everyone, or are the majority of Valpo fans out there still disappointed? I'm curious what everyone thinks now?
I really like the Crusader Logo and the mascot does seem to be an ernest attempt to bring that logo to life in Mascot form, IMO. I don't think it's a bad-looking mascot. However, it there were changes to be made, what changes would you make?
I do think that not only is the costume important, but the creativity of the person wearing the costume is equally important. Has the mascot been creative in his stints? Is there continuity in who wears the costume or does it change event to event?
Quote from: Valposter on January 03, 2013, 10:34:57 AMHas the current version of the Crusader Mascot grown on everyone, or are the majority of Valpo fans out there still disappointed? I'm curious what everyone thinks now?
I still perfer the old one but the new guy is gaining popularity. Did anyone see the Tax Slayer ads during the Gator Bowl (technically the Tax Slayer Gator Bowl). I believe our guy has been repainted and is moonlighting.
IndyValpo, that's a funny reference with the TaxSlayer mascot. I saw those commercials a million times this past week and never thought about our Valpo Crusader! In the commercial, he couldn't read his script because he didn't have eyes.....a common theme in this thread.........
In the spirit of reviving old threads - did we discuss the recent IMC survey?
I'm not sure how widely distributed it was. But, it asked about various elements of IMC's campaigns, etc.
Included were a couple of questions about whether you thought it would be good to get rid of the Crusader. Altogether, rather than simply its current costume. I don't think the costume was specifically mentioned.
What is the IMC survey?
that survey must've not gone out very far, or maybe restricted to campus only. because this is the first i'm hearing of it.
Was that IMC survey the one about opinions on the rebranding with the new logo/color scheme, mascot, and feeling about how these changes help you promote VU away from campus? If that's the one, then I filled it out a few weeks back.
I still like the Valparaiso Global Water idea.
If Alabama can have the Crimson Tide and Tulane can have the Green Wave, we can have the Global Water!
Quote from: valporun on January 03, 2013, 04:17:19 PM
Was that IMC survey the one about opinions on the rebranding with the new logo/color scheme, mascot, and feeling about how these changes help you promote VU away from campus? If that's the one, then I filled it out a few weeks back.
Is Valpo planning on rebranding?
Quote from: Valposter on January 03, 2013, 05:13:22 PM
Quote from: valporun on January 03, 2013, 04:17:19 PM
Was that IMC survey the one about opinions on the rebranding with the new logo/color scheme, mascot, and feeling about how these changes help you promote VU away from campus? If that's the one, then I filled it out a few weeks back.
Is Valpo planning on rebranding?
I seriously doubt it. Like anything 'new' (i.e., the current rebranding happened in 2010, right?) and now that the rebrand has been out there for a while, the university is soliciting feedback on it for the purpose of refinement -- not change. Change at this point would be very expensive, especially after only a short period. I personally like the new Valpo logo graphic and the color selection. The web sites are a great improvement over the old brand look. But I could see them tinkering a bit based on the feedback they receive. The mascot is growing on me too. At first he looked like a plastic blow-up figure, but over the past couple of hers he has begun to take on a personality. i especially liked him in the welcome back to campus video that ran in late August or early September.
Here's the old mascot on Youtube:
Valparaiso University (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTIxh13Q2ow#)
Here's the new guy:
Welcome Home (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8ireRaL5T8#ws)
You be the judge.
Quote from: VULB#62 on January 03, 2013, 08:47:09 PM
Quote from: Valposter on January 03, 2013, 05:13:22 PM
Quote from: valporun on January 03, 2013, 04:17:19 PM
Was that IMC survey the one about opinions on the rebranding with the new logo/color scheme, mascot, and feeling about how these changes help you promote VU away from campus? If that's the one, then I filled it out a few weeks back.
Is Valpo planning on rebranding?
I seriously doubt it. Like anything 'new' (i.e., the current rebranding happened in 2010, right?) and now that the rebrand has been out there for a while, the university is soliciting feedback on it for the purpose of refinement -- not change. Change at this point would be very expensive, especially after only a short period. I personally like the new Valpo logo graphic and the color selection. The web sites are a great improvement over the old brand look. But I could see them tinkering a bit based on the feedback they receive. The mascot is growing on me too. At first he looked like a plastic blow-up figure, but over the past couple of hers he has begun to take on a personality. i especially liked him in the welcome back to campus video that ran in late August or early September.
Here's the old mascot on Youtube:
Valparaiso University (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTIxh13Q2ow#)
Here's the new guy:
Welcome Home (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8ireRaL5T8#ws)
You be the judge.
In all due respect, how can a faceless, sexless, emotionless, voiceless being "take on a personality?" It doesn't display warmth or fun or happiness or any other positive human emotion - because it can't. The new character was specifically designed to satisfy someone's need to show that the University is properly "inclusive." Since it is impossible to have one face that represents both genders, every race, etc., our former happy, bubbly, upbeat, full of personality Crusader became a faceless, cold, bland suit of armor. It was, is, and always will be a terrible change.
That aside, I agree with your thoughts about the new colors and logo. I even bought a long sleeve Valpo T in the new green that looks pretty sharp.
I agree that I really like the new logo. The design, color scheme, everything works very well. I mentioned in another thread that the Crusader in the logo looks noble and confident. Having the Crusader holding the Valpo Shield adds dignity, integrity, and all of the other positive ideals the Valpo Shield represents. I think it really works in positioning the Valpo brand. I wouldn't change a thing with the logo. I think it works for all of the very important components that make Valpo the great institution that it is: academics, athletics and religious principles (these are not easy to represent simultaneouslly).
Also, I do think the current mascot can develop a personality over time with a proper marketing strategy. Including him in adverstising and promotional campaigns certainly helps, like the video campaign referenced. Getting him out in various community functions exhibiting "event appropriate" behaviors helps over time. And most importantly, have him be creative in whatever public settings he is in. This is the most important thing. For example, when he is at athletic events he needs to be an entertainer and creative in utlizing props and being entertaining and funny. A prime example is the San Diego Chicken from back in the day. He used a ton of props and was very funny. He would have plastic eggs drop from his backside. He would hatch out of a giant egg. He would wear a Blues Brothers suit with hat and sun glasses and lipsinc Blues Brothers songs. He would run the bases with his big chicken feet and headfirst slide into bases and homeplate. He would get behind the homeplate umpire and base umpires and mock them, and they would play along. He would bring out a Barney Mascot (no one over age 3 liked Barney) and beat the heck out of him.....it was hilarious He would get on the dugout and do goofy dances. He would have little kids come out with him dressed as "Baby Chickens" and act like him. I could go on and on. The point is that his features never changed, but he had a huge personality. Not because he had eyes or a face, but because he was hugely creative and hilarously funny with a well-planned, designed, choregraphed (sp?) performance. So, let's get the Valpo Crusader some Crusader theme-based props and some funny pop culture props and some creative schticks and let him have some fun and entertain us. Then we would all agree the Valpo Crusader mascot had a personality.
As far as the costume, I think it could always be better, but it is certainly sufficient to accomplish the goal. It is up to the person in the costume and the people managing and training the person in the costume. Disney is a prime example of how they manage their costume characters. There are a set of very detailed "branding rules" for each "character" that the person wearing the costume must know, understand and adhere to, and they are trainned and managed accordingly. It would make this part easier if there was some consistency, at least in the short-term, in who is wearing the costume. Make it an internship and get a creative theater student that can create a character and make it happen. The "character development" must be managed. It just doesn't happen by accident.
Thoughts?
I agree with what you are saying and to a degree with WH. His point (a faceless character) underscores the issue that without a face it's hard to convey the hilarious things you mention, valposter. I don't get to any games in the ARC and only have been to two football games since the new mascot came on board, so I can't judge how involved and how well trained it is (I say "it" because who knows what gender the person inside the costume is?).
Talking about the Famous Chicken (fka the San Diego Chicken) in this mascot thread brought back some fond memories so I thought I would do a google search and share:
The Famous Chicken's website (I guess he is in semi-retirement now):
http://www.famouschicken.com/index.html (http://www.famouschicken.com/index.html)
The youtube video of the hilarous Famous Chicken vs. Barney battle:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=IML4CM5-rsM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IML4CM5-rsM#)
The greatest mascot ever (Forbes Magazine and ESPN has him ranked as #1 sports mascot of all-time). We are a big baseball family and we travelled to several minor league ballparks MANY times with our son when he was very young so he could see the Chicken perform.......he loved the Chicken back then......great stuff.......
Quotewithout a face it's hard to convey the hilarious things you mention
so...with a face that never moves you can convey a range of expressions?!?!?
(and tell that to Jeff Van Gundy!)
http://gifrific.com/jeff-van-gundys-blank-stare/ (http://gifrific.com/jeff-van-gundys-blank-stare/)
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on January 04, 2013, 03:33:49 PM
Quotewithout a face it's hard to convey the hilarious things you mention
so...with a face that never moves you can convey a range of expressions?!?!?
More accurately it's one expression appealing to a range of emotions. Think about billboard or magazine advertising or any form of still photography advertising. Depending on the context, a simple fixed smile can appeal to a range of positive emotions, such as happiness, fulfillment, confidence, security, love, peace, relaxation, self esteem, optimism, etc. It can be very powerful.
First of all we need a name for our Crusader (is there one?) Second, he has no face, just a face mask.
Here's Sparty from Michigan State -- he's got a face, but he ain't smiling.
62, what should the Crusader's name be..Creepy?
I really don't have an answer. That's actually a problem isn't it? What DO you name the Crusader? Rabbit is already taken and technically it comes after 'Crusader'. Saderofthelostarc would probably say "Sader." But then he might suggest Arkie. There is Creepy as you mentioned, then Carl or Carlton. Digging back into Valpo's past, the university's first Mascot was a Uhlan (a light cavalryman) -- how about Uhlan the Crusader? Caped Crusader is copywrited by Batman, I believe. When all else fails, how about "Bob"? ;D
Quote from: VULB#62 on January 05, 2013, 09:43:24 AM
When all else fails, how about "Bob"? ;D
Way too sexist for the agenda behind this change. Pat would be much better.
Quote from: wh on January 05, 2013, 10:09:43 AM
Quote from: VULB#62 on January 05, 2013, 09:43:24 AM
When all else fails, how about "Bob"? ;D
Way too sexist for the agenda behind this change. Pat would be much better.
wh beat me to it!
(http://spunfull.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/snl.jpg)
:rotfl:
I received the IMC survey via email a few weeks back. It basically asked questions like what type of emotions you felt when you saw the logo. Hopefully I wasn't too harsh...
Chris Crusader, it's gender neutral and both have the hard "K" sound.
I like it. Put my vote down for Chris Crusader.
I like it three. Add a "t" at the end of the word to make it redundant.
Or something.
Quote from: VULB#62 on January 04, 2013, 09:59:04 AM
I agree with what you are saying and to a degree with WH. His point (a faceless character) underscores the issue that without a face it's hard to convey the hilarious things you mention, valposter. I don't get to any games in the ARC and only have been to two football games since the new mascot came on board, so I can't judge how involved and how well trained it is (I say "it" because who knows what gender the person inside the costume is?).
From my experience on campus (just graduated Spring 2012), the Crusader was almost always male (which I find a bit ironic since it's supposed to be gender-neutral).
They did a "name the Crusader" poll a few years back and " the Crusader" won handily, for the record.
Quote from: a3uge on January 24, 2013, 08:21:22 PMThey did a "name the Crusader" poll a few years back and " the Crusader" won handily, for the record.
Mostly because this generation is lazy ;)
Mascot is fine...next topic!
Quote from: LaPorteAveApostle on January 25, 2013, 10:44:01 AM
Quote from: a3uge on January 24, 2013, 08:21:22 PMThey did a "name the Crusader" poll a few years back and " the Crusader" won handily, for the record.
Mostly because this generation is lazy ;)
hey! i resemble that remark! ;)