The university has named its 12 finalists to replace "Indians" as the school's nickname. Those finalists are: A’s, Black Wolves, Red Wolves, Diamonds, Express, Mallards, Mustangs, Red Dragons, Red Storm, Ridge Runners, Ridge Raiders and Thunderbirds.
First, I can't believe they dissed the "Big Red Rhinos." You may recall, in a previous post, Rhinos was identified as the favorite suggestion here at The Talker. And it would have been an awesome, glorious mascot, that other schools would envy for generations. (See depiction).
However, the Rhinos are apparently not to be. Sigh.
Well, moving forward, there are a few decent possibilities still on the board. Our current favorites are "Mallards" and "Red Dragons." Both are unique and would provide specific idenity to the ASU sports teams. Mallards would be especially good, as the name would connect with a popular regional recreational activity. And let's face it, outside of Oregon, there just aren't enough good duck mascots.
There's also some duds on the list, like "Express" and "Red Storm." Mascots should be tangible things, not abstract concepts.
And "Diamonds" and "A's" are just dumb. Period. Nobody wants to cheer for a precious gem or a letter of the alphabet.
"Red Wolves" isn't bad; it's a tangible thing, and an animal indigenous to the region. But it doesn't roll off the tongue. "ASU Red Wolves"? Just doesn't sound good.
And as for "Ridge Runners" and "Ridge Raiders," well, I just don't have a clue what those things are.
When ASU announced plans to change nickames, I had hoped they would find something better than "Indians," which I find quite bland and boring, to be honest. And looking at the finalists, there's a decent chance the univeristy might come through. I still think they're missing the boat on the Rhinos, though.
2 comments:
Hint for the Iowa Guy- The Ridge names refer to the nearby Crowley's Ridge. Just so you know.
Your ever-helpful used-to-be-reporter, Tena
Well, of course it refers to "Crowley's Ridge," (duh!) but unless there are folks fegularly running back and forth atop the Ridge, or, conversely, raiding the geological anomaly for whatever wealth it contains, the names still don't make any sense.
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