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Post by FuryJP on Feb 6, 2008 8:35:34 GMT -6
Spike,
THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME!!! And it angers me as well. Whenever there's a "Challenge of the Deans" or some promotion where a department decides to make it out to a game, THEY LEAVE when their thing is done. It's pathetic. We talked about it last year (I remember using the word "pathetic" then too). But that's what it is, pathetic. Does anyone know who was leading the group? I'd like to send an email.
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Post by GUEST on Feb 6, 2008 11:06:10 GMT -6
Doesn't Bill have a new suit this year?
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Post by FuryJP on Feb 6, 2008 11:33:07 GMT -6
I think the head is new. I like the old one better.
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Post by goflames31 on Feb 9, 2008 22:41:22 GMT -6
I've decided I think "appealing to the kids" is a non-point because I have never seen a mascot that kids don't love. Kids love all mascots, the key is getting people intrigued who don't love all mascots and part of that key is not having a mascot that people don't like. At worst it should be a mascot that nobody notices, except the kids.
Also a "cool" mascot can be used as part of the gimmicky strategy that has been discussed, anything that can get people in the building that want to be there is great because the bussed in kids are going to love it no matter what. The best part is they might love a "cool" mascot even more which makes them more vocal and benefits everyone.
The mascot doesn't have to be "cool" to be successful, that is just the generic term I am using so Sparky doesn't have to become The Fonz or anything, although I think he has tried that idea too.
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Post by FuryJP on Feb 9, 2008 22:57:54 GMT -6
either way, we respected Sparky tonight and showed him some love at Loyola.
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Post by goflames31 on Feb 10, 2008 1:33:39 GMT -6
Sparky does have good form on his tackles, if my arm was twisted to compliment him, thats probably what I'd go with.
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Post by I'm In The Front Row on Feb 10, 2008 1:41:06 GMT -6
Let's play a game: You're the Athletic Director. Do you cater to the 20 or so students who come to the game, OR the season ticket holders (revenue generators) who come every year, to every game? Think about it. I, for one, have always enjoyed Sparky and don't want to see him change. My kids love him, he's always entertaining. NOW, Name me one mascot that's fierce and mean? How about entertaining? Isn't that what Sparkey is supposed to do, entertain us during stops in play? Isn't he supposed to keep people engaged during the game? If so, he's doing a good job. Does anyone here find Lou from Loyola intimidating? How about the Butler Bulldog? Or that ferocious Penguin from Youngstown State? My opinion, the person that wrote the article should use their efforts to get students to come to the games rather than write about what they think is wrong with the games. Say what you will about the bussed in kids...at least they come to the games and they cheer. I'd rather have 500 rowdy kids who got in free than the 20 or so students who show up. I do like the eight or show who start the "ugly, ugly" chant, but the rest who are sitting on their hands are NOT helping their team and probably should stay home. HOWEVER, I notice those hands go up high in the air when a pizza is coming their way, or Sparky is shooting a t-shirt that way. Thank you, I'll get off my soapbox now.
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Post by FuryJP on Feb 10, 2008 10:44:50 GMT -6
He does use his efforts to get students to the game, which is why I think he can say whatever he wants.
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Chris Brown THE author
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Post by Chris Brown THE author on Feb 10, 2008 23:51:03 GMT -6
Hello all,
I would first like to say I am shocked my article "sparked" this much of a debate. To those who disagree with my article I respect that, and I would like to give Fury JP a special thanks for believing in what he believes but also sticking up for me a respectful manner.
The article was intended to be light hearted and fun as we try to get the FORUM section of the Flame up and going. We figured that a Sparky article would gain interest thus the reason for the article being written in the first place.
I believe someone already mentioned this but all of you say the kids love the mascot, the alumni love the mascot and so on and so forth but again, what kid DISLIKES a mascot? What alumni DISLIKES their mascot? As the VP of the FURY committee I understand where you are coming from with getting kids out to games. I am only a sophomore but to my understanding UIC's attendance woes have lasted what has seemed to be a lifetime for most of you. Everyday, every game we are running promotions trying to entice people to come out to games but where does the line get drawn? Free pizza, free shirts, free giveaways. When do we put a price on something?
As part of a marketing strategy, you are to sell the product as a WHOLE and included in that product is the mascot. Why not improve on Sparky? Why not have a duel sparky as a compliment to the current sparky? someone who could pull off halftime high flying acrobatics instead of the same halftime gimmicks? The two mascots would feed off of each other and the crowd would love that. If you knew you were going to come to a game and see an entertaining basketball game (at times anyway) and ALSO see a sparky pulling off acrobatic, high flying dunks at the half you would love it, and you are lying to me and yourself if you say you wouldn't enjoy that.
So until someone else presents something to me that can absolutely sway me into Sparky not needing to be improved then I will continue to voice my opinion. Especially since I am one of the 10 students that do give a damn about UIC sports as a WHOLE, and I am talking gymnastics, swimming, baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, track, etc. because I am at roughly 95% of UIC athletic events. Thank you to everyone and please continue to send in your inquiries to sports@chicagoflame.com for our new forum section!
Chris Brown
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Post by soccer fan on Feb 11, 2008 6:39:56 GMT -6
As the old saying goes: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".
Frankly, I think Sparky is one of the best things that ever happened to UIC basketball. If anything, I'd like to see him show up at more events. He'd be a huge hit if he showed up at a soccer game, for example.
At this point, he is too much of a tradition at UIC to ever change, so it is pointless to even talk about tweaking him.
If you want to tweak something, how about tweaking the Lighting of the Flame?
I think THAT could use some help, but that's just my opinion.
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Post by I'm In The Front Row on Feb 11, 2008 11:44:16 GMT -6
The Lighting of the Flame song has to be changed. It's just not good. I could go on for hours about it, but it's just not good.
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Post by EzE on Feb 11, 2008 15:09:14 GMT -6
Changing Sparky...you'll get mixed support. Adding a second Sparky or cousin...you'll get more support. Improving the song...you'll get a lot of support!
...also if you want to add the pizza girl from the Loyola game as a second mascot...I'm all for it! ;D
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Post by goflames31 on Feb 11, 2008 20:33:09 GMT -6
Changing Sparky...you'll get mixed support. Adding a second Sparky or cousin...you'll get more support. Improving the song...you'll get a lot of support! ...also if you want to add the pizza girl from the Loyola game as a second mascot...I'm all for it! ;D How awkward was it when the announcer said "She can deliver my pizza"? I'm all for a cousin/sister/brother mascot to compliment Sparky as a middle ground or as a trial phase type deal. I just think SOMETHING has to be done and a mascot change is just one possibility.
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Post by EzE on Feb 11, 2008 22:37:27 GMT -6
There are certain things the athletic dept. needs to take note of...one huge thing to pay attention to at the game was Billy Blue Demon...UIC fans did react to DePaul. If UIC can compete with DePaul regularly, this would be a great rivalry. Granted, right now DePaul has more to lose...but if UIC can elevate to the status of being a viable competitor to DePaul. This would be a great game. The rivalry is there. Also, I found an article relating to this situation at DePaul. www.thedepaulia.com/story.asp?artid=2055§id=1They switched from the cute Billy Blue Demon to a tougher one. Both are good in different ways. But similar argument today...and in terms of student interest...they had more interest during the days of the "cuter" mascot...of course, but that was mostly due to the better teams they had during that stretch.
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Post by spike1057 on Feb 11, 2008 22:44:57 GMT -6
Changing Sparky...you'll get mixed support. Adding a second Sparky or cousin...you'll get more support. Improving the song...you'll get a lot of support! ...also if you want to add the pizza girl from the Loyola game as a second mascot...I'm all for it! ;D I'd take the Jomba Juice girl from our mascot game. That girl never gave up and took some hard bumps
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