The mascot debate/fandom thread

[mattcoldagelli]

1. Will a mascot cause you personally to attend more football games? Or conversely, does the lack of a mascot (NOTE--Chief was not a mascot) keep you from attending games?

Walked right into this one, bruh

Alma Otter definitely an upgrade over our current mascot (a middle-aged Central Illinoisan who repeatedly says "ACTUALLY the Chief was a symbol, not a mascot")

 

[Point-Illinois]

Matt’s been waiting a fortnight to throw that one down.

 

[Oranges]

Several questions for the Pro-Mascot crowd:
1. Will a mascot cause you personally to attend more football games? Or conversely, does the lack of a mascot (NOTE--Chief was not a mascot) keep you from attending games?
2. Will a mascot increase attendance overall?
3. Will a mascot improve the quality of our football program? (in other words, how many extra wins per year will a mascot bring?
4. Will a mascot boost the national profile of the football program and the university in general?

Mascots are just supposed to be about having fun imo, no mascot in the country does any of the things you’re asking about

 

[bleedsorangenblue]

It is just a matter of time before the kingfisher becomes the mascot by default. Some better alternative needs to be suggested that the chief crowd can get behind. Saying we don't need a mascot is a vote for the kingfisher.

 

[bleedsorangenblue]

How about something like this..... could still be the fighting Illini.

 

[bleedsorangenblue]

For those who still want a bird ... Would be awesome LOL!

 

[Ghost77]

Or Blocky the I.

Are you not entertained!?!?! If I had the time and the resources I would get a Blocky costume made and go up to the Toledo game and kick that bird's @$$

 

[FrankNitty30]

Bring all the variations of mascots to Grange Grove to entertain the little kiddies all they want, but leave them outside the stadium. JMO

THIS!!!! Do we really want to stand out!?!? Become a menagerie of mascots! The Fighting Illini can not be encapsulated by one mascot. We could have a kingfisher named “Windy”. An otter named Alma. A white Tailed deer named Buck. An Abe Lincoln named….. Abe. Plus, an Illini Indian tribe approved chief named Legend.

Then flaunt our numerous mascots.

 

[Point-Illinois]

Are you not entertained!?!?! If I had the time and the resources I would get a Blocky costume made and go up to the Toledo game and kick that bird's @$$
View attachment 27757

 

[GrayGhost77]

Are you not entertained!?!?! If I had the time and the resources I would get a Blocky costume made and go up to the Toledo game and kick that bird's @$$
View attachment 27757

If I lived anywhere near CU still I would make this happen.

I mean, our football student cheering section is literally called the "Block I". It's been staring us right in the face the whole time.

 

[CHEEF]

I'm convinced every pro-Kingfisher post is from an Iowa burner account

 

[pvaughn8]

Are you not entertained!?!?! If I had the time and the resources I would get a Blocky costume made and go up to the Toledo game and kick that bird's @$$
View attachment 27757

Make that your avatar, it's amazing

 

[Ransom Stoddard]

It is just a matter of time before the kingfisher becomes the mascot by default. Some better alternative needs to be suggested that the chief crowd can get behind. Saying we don't need a mascot is a vote for the kingfisher.

Saying we need a mascot is a vote for ultimately not being the "Fighting Illini".

 

[pruman91]

Saying we need a mascot is a vote for ultimately not being the "Fighting Illini".

 

[Brookslyn]

What about being the first to license another property as our mascot like Kool-Aid man!!!!!

 

[Ghost77]

Saying we need a mascot is a vote for ultimately not being the "Fighting Illini".

Not with Blocky! Blocky relishes the Fighting Illini name and would never seek to change it. He understands the history and the significance. He is an embodiment of the student section and its time for all to embrace him, lest we end up with a lame bird or otter.

 

[7 Year Illini]

we could be the Poison Dart Frogs! /s

 

[Point-Illinois]

Not with Blocky! Blocky relishes the Fighting Illini name and would never seek to change it. He understands the history and the significance. He is an embodiment of the student section and its time for all to embrace him, lest we end up with a lame bird or otter.

This is the one real solution. Somebody that can make the games do it already so it can get some traction!

 

[pvaughn8]

Not with Blocky! Blocky relishes the Fighting Illini name and would never seek to change it. He understands the history and the significance. He is an embodiment of the student section and its time for all to embrace him, lest we end up with a lame bird or otter.

I've read like two articles in the past week about people getting mauled by otters. Wouldn't want to tangle with those

 

[bluemountain]

Saying we need a mascot is a vote for ultimately not being the "Fighting Illini".

Unfortunately, this is the desired end game by people who are pushing these lame mascots

 

[Pennsy]

The epitome of the bird being the worst is if the Marching Illini come up with a song for it. Lyrics to follow.

 

[Fuze]

The epitome of the bird being the worst is if the Marching Illini come up with a song for it. Lyrics to follow.

Marching Illini might be the last group to say or do anything revolving around the Kingfisher. They take a super unbiased stance on anything involving the mascot debate and it's for a reason.

 

[mattcoldagelli]

Saying we need a mascot is a vote for ultimately not being the "Fighting Illini".

Wrong. The surest way to get "Fighting Illini" retired is to be a Chief dead-ender.

 

[Ransom Stoddard]

Wrong. The surest way to get "Fighting Illini" retired is to be a Chief dead-ender

It's possible to be neither a Chief dead-ender nor a supporter of having a mascot.

 

[Toews]

My attempt at a mascot.