2A - Wednesday, December 5, 2007 AY: FRIDAY: ire Here The Extremist It's 'undignified' There's a rich history of sup- port and fanaticism during sport- ing events at the University, but there is something missing from the mix. While the performance of many athletic teams from numer- ous schools in collegiate athlet- ics is enhanced by the energetic performance of a larger than life, plush caricature of their school's mascot, Michigan sports teams are fueled by University stu- dents, cheerleaders and band. This begs one important ques- tion: Why isn't there a mascot here at the University? Athletic Department spokes- man Bruce Madej said it all comes down to following University tra- dition. "There is no appetite within the athletic department from administrators and/or student athletes to have one," Madej said. "So I would believe the tradition of not having a mascot would likely win out." According to an article on the Bentley Historical Library's web- site, "The Athletic Department has steadfastly maintained that such a symbol is unnecessary and undignified and would not prop- erly reflect the spirit and values of Michigan athletics." But that doesn't mean that the University has never had a mas- cot. In 1927, as a result of much lob- bying by former Michigan foot- ball coach Fielding H. Yost, two wolverines - animals, not ath- letes - from the Detroit Zoo were carried around Michigan Stadi- um in cages on game days.0 Eventually, Madej said, one wolverine was kept as a live mas- cot until it became impossible to keep him in captivity because he repeatedly chewed through the bars of his cage. Madej said Michigan did actu- ally use a Wolverine mascot - this time a plush one. The mascot performed dur-Ff# ing the mid 1980s and then again during the mid 1990s before being retired., But the attempts failed, Madej said, because many people thought the plush mascot looked more like a mangy dog or fox thanF an actual wolverine. ANGELA CESERE/Dai, Unlike Michigan, Michigan State has a mascot. He's Sparty, an angry Spartan warrior. His duties include motivating the NICOLE WATKINS crowd during sporting events. The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com C4E iga 4 t 420 Maynard St. Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1327 www.michigandaily.com KARL STAMPFL DAVID GOH Editor in Chief Business Manager 734-647 333A 734-764-0508 stampfl@michigandaily.com goh@michigandaily.com CONTACT INFORMATION Newsroom office hours:oSun.Thurs. li.e-. 2a.,. 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I CRIME NOTES Backpack stolen Passengers in from showering car given MIPs student at stoplight CAMPUS EVENTS & NOTES Make-A-Wish Environmental skate night law lecture WHERE: Angell Hall WHEN: Sunday at about 2 p.m. WHAT: A bookbag contain- ing items valuted at about $190 was stolen from a third floor classroom in Angell Hall while its owner went home to shower, the Department of Public Safety reported. Police have no suspects. Desk lock damaged WHERE: G.G. Brown Labora- tory WHEN: Monday at about 10 WHAT: A nail file was used over the weekend to open a locked desk drawer belong- ing to a staff member, DPS reported The lock was dam- aged, but nothing was stolen, police said. WHERE: The corner of Tappan and Hill street WHEN: Tuesday at about mid- night WHAT: Two passengers in a car were given Minor In Pos- session tickets while the car was stopped at a traffic light. The driver wasn't cited. All three were University stu- dents. Construction site gate damaged WHERE: Phoenix Memorial Laboratory WHEN: Monday at about 8 a.m. WHAT: A fence post outside the laboratory's construction site was bent, DPS reported. Police don't believe anyone was trying to force entry. fundraiser WHAT: A skate night and figure skating performance hosted by the University's hockey and figure skat- ing teams. The event also includes a SO-50 raffle. Tick- ets cost $5. WHO: The UM Stars for the Make-A-Wish foundation WHEN: Today at 9:30 p.m. WHERE: Yost Ice Arena University Concert Band performance WHAT: A free concert by the School of Music's concert band conducted by School of Music Prof. Rod- ney Dorsey WHO: The University of Michigan Concert Band WHEN: Today at 8rp.m. WHERE: Hill Auditorium WHAT: A lecture on Michi- gan's climate by Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven Chester WHO: Environmental Law and Policy Program WHEN: Today at 4 p.m. WHERE: 132 Hutchins Hall CORRECTIONS * An article in Tuesday's edition of the Daily (As colleges rake in cash, charities struggle in Mich.) incorrectly stated that the University raised $1.4 bil- lion last fiscal year. The University raised $300 million. * The same story also incorrectly stated that Wayne State University raised $818 million in last fiscal year. Wayne State has raised $818 million for its its "Wayne First" fund- raising campaign, which started in 2005. Please report any error in the Daily to corrections@ michigandaily.com. A 42-foot-tall inflatable snowman was stolen from a Texas tree farm, The Associated Press reported. A description of the missing snowman says it is a white male with a pipe and a red hat and scarf. There is a $1,000 reward being offered for the snowman's return. Five Texas mayors want to declare compact fluo- rescent light bulbs as the official state bulb, Reuters reported. The mayors of Aus- tin, San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and El Paso have vowed to promote the statewide use of the light bulb. They are sug- gesting them as possible holi- day gifts this year. 3Kentucky freshman Alex Legion, who changed his mind four times about coming to Michigan to play basketball, is transferring from Kentucky after only six games. >>FOR MORE, SEE PAGE 8A p q Congratulations the following students who were selected for Michigan Apprentice. Each of these Wolverines will enjoy an all-expenses-paid one-day internship with a Michigan alum. " Tony Bolto will have an apprenticeship with NFL network broadcaster Rich Eisen in Los Angeles, California " Matthew Semler will have an apprenticeship with television writer and producer Oliver Goldstick in Hollywood " Emily Samara will have an apprenticeship with Wall Street investment research analyst Todd Rosenbluth in New York " Kevin Mulder will have an apprenticeship with advertising executive Harvey Briggs in Sheboygan, Wisconisn * Catherine LaBrenz will have an apprenticeship with Michigan state representative Steve Tobocman in Lansing, Michigan Look for the Michigan Apprentice program again in the spring! ALUMNIASSOCIATION UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN www.umalumni.com/students 6 6 I I 4 4