The use of mascots has long been a common practice in various organizations, ranging from sports teams to corporations. These fictional characters serve as the face of the organization and are designed to create a connection with the audience and promote brand loyalty. However, mascots are not immune to controversy and criticism. In recent years, we have witnessed several instances where mascots have taken a hit, both figuratively and literally. One of the main reasons mascots have faced backlash is due to their portrayal of cultural stereotypes. For example, the Cleveland Indians' Chief Wahoo mascot received backlash for its racist depiction of Native Americans.
“I think having a live mascot adds to that and encourages students to be excited and proud of their school and to be able to say that we have a live mascot, and that he happens to be really adorable,” Rohweder said.
A simple Did You Know tweet from the official Butler Blue IV Twitter page would go a great distance to educate its seven thousand followers and create more awareness about why Butler Blue does things the way they do. So, I m really proud of what we ve done and I think this Netflix series is just another feather in our cap and I hope just catapults us even further into this national landscape.
For example, the Cleveland Indians' Chief Wahoo mascot received backlash for its racist depiction of Native Americans. Many argued that the caricatured image perpetuated harmful stereotypes and trivialized the Native American culture. As a result, the team eventually retired the mascot in 2018.
Butler Mascots Featured in Netflix Series
An episode of the upcoming second season of the Netflix original series “Dogs” will feature a couple of dogs very familiar to Hoosiers. The show will spotlight Butler University’s live mascot program as it transitioned from Butler Blue III to Butler Blue IV more than a year ago.
Michael Kaltenmark, director of external relations for Butler and former mascot handler, says the university’s participation in the show stemmed from a tweet by the show’s producer looking for stories.
In an interview with Inside INdiana Business, Kaltenmark said the experience came at a pivotal point for the live mascot program.
“We were being followed with cameras at the time that we announced Blue III’s retirement and his last season and then during our search for Butler Blue IV and our debut of Blue IV and of course my transition from being mascot handler…so there was a lot going on during this, essentially, a basketball season when they followed us,” said Kaltenmark.
The cameras also followed Kaltenmark as he was receiving a kidney transplant during that time.
Kaltenmark says he hopes the show puts Butler on full display for a new audience.
“I hope that when they watch it, they feel really good not only our bulldogs, but about the people who make up Butler University and that by watching this, more people know about our university and if more people know about it, then maybe more people will apply and eventually become Butler Bulldogs one day,” he said.
Kaltenmark took over as mascot handler in 2004 with Butler Blue II. He says not many people outside of the Butler campus knew who Blue was and it wasn’t until the university’s back-to-back appearances in the Final Four that the Butler live mascot program gained national notoriety.
“What we strive for is when you think about live mascots, then you think about Butler Blue,” he said. “So, I’m really proud of what we’ve done and I think this Netflix series is just another feather in our cap and I hope just catapults us even further into this national landscape.”
Season 2 of “Dogs” premieres July 7 on Netflix. You can catch a glimpse of Butler Blue in the trailer for the show below:
Story Continues BelowKaltenmark says the experience came at a pivotal point for the live mascot program.
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For Kaltenmark, this transition period is a bittersweet time, but overall positive.
Another issue that has caused mascots to take a hit is the controversial behavior of the individuals portraying them. There have been instances where mascots have acted inappropriately or engaged in offensive behavior, tarnishing the organization's image. In 2019, the San Diego Chicken mascot faced backlash after allegedly attacking a fan during a dispute. These incidents not only damaged the reputation of the individual involved but also raised questions about the hiring and vetting processes of mascots. Furthermore, some argue that mascots can be distracting or even harmful during sporting events. Opponents of mascots claim that they can detract from the game or event by drawing attention away from the actual performance. In extreme cases, mascots have accidentally caused injuries to spectators. For instance, in 2009, the Philadelphia Phillies' mascot, the Phillie Phanatic, accidentally hit a fan in the face with a hot dog launcher, resulting in an injury. In conclusion, mascots have faced criticism and controversy due to their portrayal of cultural stereotypes, misconduct by individuals portraying them, and their potential to cause distractions and injuries. It is essential for organizations to carefully consider the design and behavior of mascots to ensure they do not perpetuate harmful stereotypes or damage the organization's image. Additionally, proper training and vetting of individuals portraying mascots are crucial to prevent any inappropriate or offensive behavior..
Reviews for "When Mascots Clash: The Impact of Rivalries on Public Perception"
1. Sarah - 2/5 - "I was really disappointed with 'Mascot takes a hit.' The story seemed to lack any real depth or substance. The characters felt one-dimensional and the plot was predictable. I found myself disinterested and struggling to finish the book. Overall, it just wasn't for me."
2. John - 1/5 - "I can honestly say that 'Mascot takes a hit' is one of the worst books I've ever read. The writing style was clunky and the dialogue was poorly executed. The humor fell flat and the attempts at suspense were just laughable. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and was left feeling unsatisfied and regretful for wasting my time on this book."
3. Emily - 2/5 - "I had high hopes for 'Mascot takes a hit', but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The story felt rushed and underdeveloped, leaving numerous loose ends that were never tied up. The pacing was off, with the plot jumping from one random event to another without much coherence. The concept had potential, but it was poorly executed. Overall, I found the book to be disappointing and forgettable."