Mixed reviews on Sparky
Oct 9, 2006 11:53:27 GMT -6
Post by Big D on Oct 9, 2006 11:53:27 GMT -6
Interesting little article in the Chicago Flame this morning...
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Mixed reviews on Sparky the Dragon
Marisol Massini
Issue date: 10/9/06 Section: Features
By definition, a mascot is a symbol of luck used to represent a team. But usually, mascots symbolize something far more important to the team; they represent and play an important part of a team's identity. Their function is to keep up audience morale and entertain the crowds gathered for the games, while also beneficially distracting the opposing team.
UIC's athletics department is known as the UIC Flames, whose mascot is Sparky the Dragon. Like any other mascot, Sparky the Dragon is a very important entity to UIC sports. How do UIC students and staff feel about Sparky the Dragon? Is Sparky the Dragon the perfect mascot for UIC-does his name represent the fierce Flames? Feelings about Sparky the Dragon were mixed among students questioned.
Considering the name UIC Flames, it only makes sense to have a dragon as the mascot. But does the name Sparky parallel the fierceness and strength of a dragon?
"Sparky doesn't sound like a fierce fighting name. It almost sounds childish," said Victor Zysman, a fourth year finance major.
Those who were not aware of the team mascot could not form an opinion.
"Who is Sparky the Dragon?" said Pete Nicholas, a fourth year engineering major. However, there are students who believe that Sparky the Dragon plays an important role as the mascot for UIC, regardless of others who disagree.
An anonymous student who is highly involved with the athletics program said, "I think Sparky the Dragon is a good mascot because he is great at keeping the crowd happy, and getting the fans involved."
Sparky's roles as a mascot has always been keeping the spirit high during games and getting the fans and players excited. Whether or not the game is going good or bad, Sparky is always there to motivate the team and crowd.
A mascot is not only important to a school's athletics, it is also important as an overall symbol of the school community. An efficient mascot will unify the fans and the team, bringing the community together and making it enjoyable for fans to watch the game.
Sean Sullivan, the assistant athletic director at UIC, said, "Sparky the Dragon represents the Flame. The Flame represents the force that ignites the community with pride everywhere at UIC; the Inner Circle, University Hall, the Quad, all over campus. Sparky the Dragon is the perfect mascot for UIC. Sparky the Dragon is our mascot trying to bring us together as a community."
You can only have one mascot, and there never is a substitute.
Sparky is not just some red dragon jumping around the basketball court. He represents the campus as a whole, not only symbolizing the fierceness and strength of the UIC Flames, but also uniting the campus of students and staff who have school pride and are a part of the university community.
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Article
Sparky is not the problem. This is the problem:
"Who is Sparky the Dragon?" said Pete Nicholas, a fourth year engineering major.
Get a clue people! I'm a huge fan of Sparky....awesome mascot...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mixed reviews on Sparky the Dragon
Marisol Massini
Issue date: 10/9/06 Section: Features
By definition, a mascot is a symbol of luck used to represent a team. But usually, mascots symbolize something far more important to the team; they represent and play an important part of a team's identity. Their function is to keep up audience morale and entertain the crowds gathered for the games, while also beneficially distracting the opposing team.
UIC's athletics department is known as the UIC Flames, whose mascot is Sparky the Dragon. Like any other mascot, Sparky the Dragon is a very important entity to UIC sports. How do UIC students and staff feel about Sparky the Dragon? Is Sparky the Dragon the perfect mascot for UIC-does his name represent the fierce Flames? Feelings about Sparky the Dragon were mixed among students questioned.
Considering the name UIC Flames, it only makes sense to have a dragon as the mascot. But does the name Sparky parallel the fierceness and strength of a dragon?
"Sparky doesn't sound like a fierce fighting name. It almost sounds childish," said Victor Zysman, a fourth year finance major.
Those who were not aware of the team mascot could not form an opinion.
"Who is Sparky the Dragon?" said Pete Nicholas, a fourth year engineering major. However, there are students who believe that Sparky the Dragon plays an important role as the mascot for UIC, regardless of others who disagree.
An anonymous student who is highly involved with the athletics program said, "I think Sparky the Dragon is a good mascot because he is great at keeping the crowd happy, and getting the fans involved."
Sparky's roles as a mascot has always been keeping the spirit high during games and getting the fans and players excited. Whether or not the game is going good or bad, Sparky is always there to motivate the team and crowd.
A mascot is not only important to a school's athletics, it is also important as an overall symbol of the school community. An efficient mascot will unify the fans and the team, bringing the community together and making it enjoyable for fans to watch the game.
Sean Sullivan, the assistant athletic director at UIC, said, "Sparky the Dragon represents the Flame. The Flame represents the force that ignites the community with pride everywhere at UIC; the Inner Circle, University Hall, the Quad, all over campus. Sparky the Dragon is the perfect mascot for UIC. Sparky the Dragon is our mascot trying to bring us together as a community."
You can only have one mascot, and there never is a substitute.
Sparky is not just some red dragon jumping around the basketball court. He represents the campus as a whole, not only symbolizing the fierceness and strength of the UIC Flames, but also uniting the campus of students and staff who have school pride and are a part of the university community.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Article
Sparky is not the problem. This is the problem:
"Who is Sparky the Dragon?" said Pete Nicholas, a fourth year engineering major.
Get a clue people! I'm a huge fan of Sparky....awesome mascot...
