10 Monday, June 20, 2011 The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com Michigan should steer clear of a mascot debacle anny Bleigh isthe only man inthe world who knows the feeling. During a Sept. 17, 1988 matchup against Miami, Willy the Wolverine stepped onto the turf at Michi- gan Stadium in front of 105,834 spectators. He strutted up and down the Michi- gan sideline for a few minutes and got his mug STEPHEN J. on national tele- NESBITT vision, becom- ing the only costumed mascot ever to represent Michigan at the Big House. Three weeks later, there were security guards at every gate tasked with keeping Willy out of the sta- dium. And only one man truly understands. Bleigh was Willy the Wolverine that day. Thisweek, Athletic Director Dave Brandon opened a can of worms that was kept firmly sealed for the past two decades - and one that was largely forgotten in the 194 years at the University of Michigan. In an interview with Michigan Today, Brandon said that, given the right conditions, he would reopen the discussion on Michigan having a mascot. "I'm struck by the fact that when opposing teams come to our sta- dium, and they bring a mascot, all of our young fans are lined up to see if they can get a picture taken with it, whether it's the Penn State Nittany Lion or Sparty," Brandon told Michi- gan Today. "That's a little annoying to me." Brandon's answer certainly has Michigan fans up in arms, but this isn't the first time the Athletic Department has considered adding a mascotto headlinesporting events. In 1927, then-head football coach Fielding H. Yost brought a pair of live wolverines to patrol the sideline. But Biff and Bennie proved too danger- ous and were given the pink slip. So Michigan became the one school that prided itself in being rep- resented by its tradition and history rather than a visible, cuddly mascot. The fact of not having a mascot has become a tradition of its own. Butinthe late 1980s, a pair ofUni- versitystudentsbegan acampaignto give Michigan its first-ever mascot: Willy the Wolverine. Willy was the brainchild of Adam Blumenkranz and David Kaufman, who created the furry, nine-foot beast and their store, Willy's, at the corner of Lib- erty and State. Willy made his debut at the Miami game, but his time in the spotlight was cut short when the Spartans came to town - along with the security guards. "I tell you, everyone who's met Willy loves him," Bleigh, the one-day Willy, told The Michigan Daily. "I put on the costume and step outside and cars come to a screeching halt. "The cheerleaders want a mascot, the fans want a mascot, the students want a mascot. The time is now." But the time wasn't "now." And it still isn't. Then-Daily sports editor and current NFL Network analyst Rich Eisen said it right. "Picture it," Eisen wrote. "A Wol- verine running all over the place to lead the crowd in cheers. "In Michigan Stadium, for crying out loud. Where Bo works. Just say no to Willy." Even Bo himself had some thoughts on Willy. After a 1989 matchup with Michigan State, Schembechler sidledup to agroup of reporters and gave his opinion. "I've got a wolverine skin - it looks like a big skunk, but don't put that down, boys," he said with a 14 AA 4 FILE PHOTO/Daily Willy the Wolverine was only able to make one appearance as Michigan's mascot. laugh. to be something that fans love, that Michigan fans don't want a big children love and everyone can skunk on the sideline. It just doesn't embrace." seem right. Now, Brandon hasn't On Friday evening, Brandon took sold Michigan's collective soul to to Twitter, where he likely found his a mascot just yet. It's not Willy this strongest opposition, to clarify his time, it's just a thought. Brandon's stance. words ring loud and clear - the door "@DaveBrandonAD: Sorry to is now opened, at least a crack, for a disappoint anyone getting worked major change on campus. up about a mascot - nothing in Twenty years ago, then-Senior the works! Gave honest answer to Associate Athletic Director Jack reporter - we consider lots of ideas!" Weidenbach said, "The issue is we Smart move. Michigan fans have decided that we really don't would make a bigger stink than Bo's need a mascot to start off with." bigskunk. Compare those comments to these from Brandon: "We're inter- ested in dofng a mascot but it has - Nesbitt can be reached at stnesbit@michigandaily.com 40 Piccolo 6 etGL rv4ett10-/ (4. Clarinet Alto Saxophone Tenor Saxophone Trumpet Horn Michigan Marching Band Open Auditions During Orientation Auditions start at 3:00 PM Required music audition will be held at Revelli Hall on the final day of your Orientation Session. Audition will consist of: - one chromatic scale two octaves to demonstrate range " one minute of prepared music solo or etudes that have contrasting style . (demonstrate beauty of tone, phrasing & musicality, and technical ability) 0 Trombone Euphonium Tuba Percussion 46 Flag