In Quest of a Mascot

Minnesota’s newest soccer team now has a name, a badge and they are starting to sign players. But one thing Tim Hayes (AKA Super Rookie) who has written several article for IMS, feels we need is a mascot.

Hayes did some writing this past week for Bruce McGuire at duNord Futbol and titled it: No mascots in football! A myth of cryptozoological proportions.

Hayes writes: All too often, being an American soccer fan comes with many disparaging comments from other “football” (soccer) fans who know the “real” way the sport is played in Europe, specifically, in England. Yet, in England almost all of the teams have a visible mascot that masquerades around the stadium and city to spread the word of their professional sports team.

Why is it that we in America are held up to a standard of sport that doesn’t even exist in other parts of the world? Recently, a posting on the NSC Minnesota facebook page suggesting ideas for a mascot were met with responses like, “I’m not sure why a mascot is needed for a soccer team…you don’t need a mascot. You need more passionate fans.” Really? I think the Thunder had some pretty passionate fans, as will this new team. Plus, the Minnesota Thunder had a kick ass mascot named, Thor. Why can’t a mascot go hand-in-hand with the passionate soccer fans and continue to meet the expectations of professional sports fans the world over?

While I may not yet be on the Nessy band wagon, I totally agree with Super Rookie and think that a mascot can be a great marketing tool, not only to kids but to adults as well. When you say mascot in Minnesota who doesn’t think of Goldie? I’ve seen some classic moments with the Golden Gopher. Stealing the opposing football team cheerleaders’ team flag, sneaking it away and throwing it in the garbage can.

There was this classic moment a couple of years ago when Thor wrote in the sand at the NSC that he hated rain and Milwaukee -a long-standing saying by the Dark Cloud supporters that still lingers on years after the Milwaukee Wave outdoor team folded. The game had a long rain delay after tornadoes passed through the area.

Keller gives the Borussia Mönchengladbach mascot a drink of water

Then there is Billy the Badger, mascot of the European club I support, Fulham FC. A couple of years ago Avram Grant was in charge of Chelsea and with the Whites ahead at half, Billy tried to get a bit friendly with Grant which he took exception to. All in good fun, except for Grant.

Many will also remember when Kasey Keller was still playing in Germany. He took down his own mascot after a win and body slammed and pinned him to the mat, er…. turf – much to the joy of all the home supporters.

There is nothing wrong with a mascot and as Hayes says in his article and we need not be apologetic. It may not be a top priority, but a Nessy is a necessary notion.

Beside reading Hayes’ article, Pitch Invasion also picked up on the Nessy story and Tom Dunmore throws his two cents in as well with his: In Defense of Mascots.

How’s this for a funny goal celebration. No, it wasn’t the mascot, but if not for the mascot it wouldn’t have been anywhere near as much fun.