COLUMN: Let the blue bull run free
What is big, blue, has horns and a tail? If you said the devil when his home freezes over, then I guess you’re right, but that is not what I was referring to. If you said a musk ox dipped into a large vat of blueberry jam, then you are also right, but I’m not referring to that either. Maybe I’d better just tell you. I’m talking about Big Blue, our university’s intrepid and endearing mascot.
As students we can’t help but enjoy Big Blue’s enthusiasm and spirit at many of the athletic events we attend. We can’t help but watch him admiringly as he mingles with the crowd and performs amazing stunts. To us, Big Blue is an icon. A hero. A furry friend with huge nostrils and Charlie Brown shoes.
But putting all the fame aside, did you ever wonder about the bull inside of Big Blue? What kind of life is Big Blue living outside of football and basketball games? Does he just sit around, chew some cud and watch tapes of opposing teams’ mascots? That can only take up so much time, and if we knew the real story behind this energetic and lovable character I think we would find a lonely and sad (blue, if you will) creature.
Yet, for all that Big Blue does, for some reason students can’t really connect to the blue bull on a personal level. A lot of this may have to do with the fact that there aren’t many students with large, hoop nose rings and blue skin, but I think a lot of it also has to do with the fact that students don’t see Big Blue participating in the activities that dominate the routine, even boring, events of student lives.
That is why I am proposing that Big Blue be allowed to adopt a 100 percent student lifestyle. Big Blue should enjoy student privileges as much as any other blue-blooded Aggie out there. As a bovine that walks around on his hind legs and is able to communicate particularly well with humans through hand gestures and body language, Big Blue certainly doesn’t fit in with his own cow kind.
Students, on the other hand, would welcome Big Blue into their daily lives with open arms. Can you imagine having a roommate that not only hangs out regularly with cheerleaders but who won’t talk your ear off every time you walk into your apartment? That would be enough for me, but it’s not all such a proposal would provide.
If Big Blue were your roommate, your usually outrageous milk bill would see a staggering decrease. Because of his hooves, Big Blue would probably make for a pretty poor bowler. Who isn’t looking for a bowling partner worse than them so that their score can at least look comparatively decent when they are on a date? If you happened to have cupboards placed very high in your apartment, and your food is constantly out of reach, Big Blue has proven that anyone could stand on his shoulders and thus reach those high, inaccessible spots.
Not only would this be a well deserved change for Big Blue, but having him sitting in classes, going shopping with fellow students, and getting parking tickets like the rest of us would probably be a huge morale boost. So let’s let Big Blue out of the pen and keep him where he belongs, with the students.
By the way if we did do this, it would be important to remember that in spite of everything, Big Blue is still a bull after all, and I would highly discourage wearing any type of red clothing on campus, as it could lead to some dire and possibly violent outcomes that could otherwise be avoided.
Marty Reeder is a senior majoring in history education. Comments or bowling with Big Blue reservations can be sent to martr@cc.usu.edu