Another Sparky attack???
Feb 4, 2008 10:13:36 GMT -6
Post by Big D on Feb 4, 2008 10:13:36 GMT -6
Sparky the dragon: putting the 'lame' in 'flame'
Flame Forum
Chris Brown
Issue date: 2/4/08 Section: Sports
Benny the Bull, Rameses, Sky Guy and Tommy the Trojan. These are all names of exciting, energetic, charismatic and - dare I even say - game-changing mascots. Game-changing because they can hype-up a crowd and get them into a game better than any mascot I have seen. They are also visually appealing as Rameses, of UNC fame, possesses an unmatched intimidation factor, Sky Guy is an exceedingly buff high flyer, Tommy embodies the meaning of California cool at USC, and Benny the Bull with all his energy, comedy and dance moves, is in the dictionary next to the word "mascot."
This leaves us with one question: what is wrong with Sparky? By no means am I defaming the man under the mask, more or less just the mask itself, so let's see what we have.
When I inquired around campus about Sparky, I came away with answers such as lazy, boring, un-exciting and cheesy, among many other things that my editors will not allow to be printed. Thus, the overall consensus seems to be that Sparky is heavily lacking in the "cool" department. I have heard visiting fans even call out our mascot, saying Sparky sums up our teams' nickname - the Lames. For me and many UIC fans this is unacceptable. So let's take a look at some of these flaws in hopes that one day Sparky can rank among the mascot greats.
For one, Sparky's attire is just plain unacceptable. He is an oversized dinosaur with shaggy skin and an outdated UIC jersey as his only clothing. Maybe it is just me, but why doesn't Sparky at the least deserve pants or shorts? It also doesn't help that when Sparky does decide to dress up for a game operation, he comes out in chaps, a leather vest and cowboy hat.
Also, as far as an intimidation factor goes, Sparky may rank as the least intimidating mascot of all time, being more in the mold of a Barney-like figure than a mean, fierce, fire-breathing dragon. A mascot's intimidation factor comes from its costume and attitude, and Sparky is lacking in both of those departments. Sparky's bright red color heavily contributes to his poor intimidation factor. Other mascots have cool gear, big muscles and charisma that make them fan favorites. Sparky lacks all three.
For anecdotal evidence about fan response to Sparky's stature, I turn to a worker at the UIC bookstore stand at the Pavilion:
"I had a kid, probably 10, come up and ask for the white t-shirt with the fierce, muscular, fire-breathing dragon that wraps around the city, and when I told him we were all out, his dad said to him he that could get the one with a smiling, childish Sparky and the kid told his dad, 'that Sparky's lame,'" said the worker.
See, even the kids, whom one would assume is Sparky's target audience, agree.
Sparky's game ops are nothing to brag about either. He is good for passing out pizza, and that may be about it. He occasionally comes out to compete in a lifting contest with a lucky kid in the audience, however he loses every time. Maybe if Sparky were more active and did more to hype the crowd, he would be a solid mascot; but until then, no muscle, no mean face and no pants get you no respect.
Link
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is not the first time the Chicago Flame has made a Sparky attacks. I understand some people would love to see a Sparky upgrade, but there are also those that love Sparky as is. The biggest complaint about Sparky is that he's not tough enough, i.e., not tough like every other mascot on the face of the earth.
I think the cool thing about Sparky is that he's different. He's not intimidating. He's fun, he's original, he's playful, and he's entertaining. Who wants another Benny the Bull?
The problem with UIC sports is not Sparky. Sparky looking tough is not going to help us win games. Let's focus on the real problem with UIC athletics....getting fans to the games!
Leave Sparky alone!!!
Flame Forum
Chris Brown
Issue date: 2/4/08 Section: Sports
Benny the Bull, Rameses, Sky Guy and Tommy the Trojan. These are all names of exciting, energetic, charismatic and - dare I even say - game-changing mascots. Game-changing because they can hype-up a crowd and get them into a game better than any mascot I have seen. They are also visually appealing as Rameses, of UNC fame, possesses an unmatched intimidation factor, Sky Guy is an exceedingly buff high flyer, Tommy embodies the meaning of California cool at USC, and Benny the Bull with all his energy, comedy and dance moves, is in the dictionary next to the word "mascot."
This leaves us with one question: what is wrong with Sparky? By no means am I defaming the man under the mask, more or less just the mask itself, so let's see what we have.
When I inquired around campus about Sparky, I came away with answers such as lazy, boring, un-exciting and cheesy, among many other things that my editors will not allow to be printed. Thus, the overall consensus seems to be that Sparky is heavily lacking in the "cool" department. I have heard visiting fans even call out our mascot, saying Sparky sums up our teams' nickname - the Lames. For me and many UIC fans this is unacceptable. So let's take a look at some of these flaws in hopes that one day Sparky can rank among the mascot greats.
For one, Sparky's attire is just plain unacceptable. He is an oversized dinosaur with shaggy skin and an outdated UIC jersey as his only clothing. Maybe it is just me, but why doesn't Sparky at the least deserve pants or shorts? It also doesn't help that when Sparky does decide to dress up for a game operation, he comes out in chaps, a leather vest and cowboy hat.
Also, as far as an intimidation factor goes, Sparky may rank as the least intimidating mascot of all time, being more in the mold of a Barney-like figure than a mean, fierce, fire-breathing dragon. A mascot's intimidation factor comes from its costume and attitude, and Sparky is lacking in both of those departments. Sparky's bright red color heavily contributes to his poor intimidation factor. Other mascots have cool gear, big muscles and charisma that make them fan favorites. Sparky lacks all three.
For anecdotal evidence about fan response to Sparky's stature, I turn to a worker at the UIC bookstore stand at the Pavilion:
"I had a kid, probably 10, come up and ask for the white t-shirt with the fierce, muscular, fire-breathing dragon that wraps around the city, and when I told him we were all out, his dad said to him he that could get the one with a smiling, childish Sparky and the kid told his dad, 'that Sparky's lame,'" said the worker.
See, even the kids, whom one would assume is Sparky's target audience, agree.
Sparky's game ops are nothing to brag about either. He is good for passing out pizza, and that may be about it. He occasionally comes out to compete in a lifting contest with a lucky kid in the audience, however he loses every time. Maybe if Sparky were more active and did more to hype the crowd, he would be a solid mascot; but until then, no muscle, no mean face and no pants get you no respect.
Link
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This is not the first time the Chicago Flame has made a Sparky attacks. I understand some people would love to see a Sparky upgrade, but there are also those that love Sparky as is. The biggest complaint about Sparky is that he's not tough enough, i.e., not tough like every other mascot on the face of the earth.
I think the cool thing about Sparky is that he's different. He's not intimidating. He's fun, he's original, he's playful, and he's entertaining. Who wants another Benny the Bull?
The problem with UIC sports is not Sparky. Sparky looking tough is not going to help us win games. Let's focus on the real problem with UIC athletics....getting fans to the games!
Leave Sparky alone!!!