The book "They Call Me Magic" by Frank Rubino explores the lives of several different individuals and their unique personalities. Each character in the book possesses their own set of characteristics and traits that make them stand out. The main character of the book is Melvin Magic Johnson, a talented basketball player who faces numerous challenges throughout his life. Melvin's personality is characterized by his determination and perseverance. Despite facing obstacles such as discrimination and personal struggles, he never gives up on his dreams. Melvin's strong-willed nature and unwavering belief in himself are the driving forces behind his success in basketball.
It is time to bring back our mascot.
Associated Students approves a resolution from the Native American Student Alliance and Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán to oppose the Aztec Warrior. Associated Students Council passes a resolution, backed by the Native American Student Alliance, that calls for retiring the Aztec moniker and Montezuma mascot because they are racist and culturally insensitive.
Melvin's strong-willed nature and unwavering belief in himself are the driving forces behind his success in basketball. Another important personality in the book is Melvin's childhood friend, James "Jimmy" Thompson. Jimmy is a loyal and trustworthy friend who supports Melvin through thick and thin.
It’s Time For SDSU To Bring Back A Mascot
The first season for San Diego State Aztecs football at Snapdragon Stadium has come and now has gone. In what has now been built as the sports hub for all things football and futbol, the stadium is undoubtedly a huge success.
The primary use for SDSU Aztecs and secondary uses for both San Diego Wave FC and San Diego Legion are surely raising up the profile of all the sports they perform in regionally.
Local high school recruits visited Snapdragon Stadium each Saturday and the love has been visible all over social media.
The most recent CIF San Diego Championships are also evidence of the phenomenal impact this new $310 million dollar SDSU facility can have in each San Diego community.
But it’s no secret the performance of the stadium this inaugural season was unfairly criticized. In early September the hottest Aztecs game to have ever been played kicked things off when SDSU hosted Arizona.
That first day left an impression that stuck with the fans the rest of the season. Coupled with a tough but fascinating year on the field, the atmosphere began to take form as the team also did—very slowly.
The devaluation of the game ticket added together to bring the goal of filling all the seats much more difficult than expected. With a not so full stadium environment it’s only natural that the eyes are then focused on the entertainment value that is being presented.
Not every year played in this new San Diego landmark will be a 12-2 outcome. For those lean years that may come, that is when the tradition and pageantry of College Football must kick in and take center stage.
Marching bands, cheerleaders, dance teams, majorettes and mascots are some of the elements that make collegiate athletics so wonderful. The sights & sounds either create culture for the University or tap in to the culture of the community around them to bring the faithful together in a fun and entertaining way.
For 100 years SDSU has been building their football culture and only recently made the decision to part ways with one of the most fan friendly elements of it—the mascot.
In 2019 under the unilateral decision of President Adela de la Torre, SDSU ended the use of an Aztec Warrior/Monty Montezuma mascot & representation after 88 years of service.
The move was largely criticized but lacked in any real repercussions against the University decision to side with the changing of today’s culture. The years of using live human representation as mascots seem to be over—specifically when depicting that of any ethnic or indigenous tribe or civilization.
Agree or disagree with the move, the one conclusion that all SDSU fans and alumni can agree on is that the retirement left an open job that has yet to be filled. Promises of creating new Aztec iconography and symbolisms to fill the void left by the Aztec Warrior have yet to be seen.
This leads Sons of Montezuma to ask the question of Aztec Nation … Should SDSU bring back a mascot? More directly should SDSU bring back Zuma?
The First Go Round
The furry feeline was quickly judged as a BYU knockoff and was attacked by leaders in the fanbase. Reports to the administration swelled up and unofficially had the lovable sidekick to Monty Montezuma booted away after only two years.
But now after ten years of this dismissal, is it possible that SDSU fans had it all wrong from the start?
Dress For Success
SDSU is seeking to step up their athletic brand in many different levels. The largest would be joining a Power-5 conference. The PAC-12 or BIG12 are the most attainable in this latest round of expansion currently happening.
The move especially to the regional no brainer PAC-12 would mean an increased dedication to marketing, performance, fan engagement and of course, revenues.
With such a unique, exciting, and vibrant representation as the Aztecs, one only needs to look at the peers of the PAC-12 to gain some insight as to what should be done with this all important mascot decision.
Every single institution represented in the 12 team conference has a furry, cuddly and relevant mascot for their teams. Wether it’s the Bruin of UCLA, Beaver of Oregon State, or Buffalo of Colorado, the uniforms worn are on par with that of a Disneyland production.
The only example of a live human representation is that of USC’s Trojan. However Tommy Trojan is also joined in compromise with Traveler his trusty horse, and also a costume mascot with a cartoon creation of the Trojan to be kid friendly.
Smart thinking by USC administration to find a compromise of the two styles. Could this be an option for SDSU? Only the powers that be can decide that.
One thing is for sure, this is not some unattainable mission for such a successful leadership that has reached across all political factions in San Diego County to get a stadium built that was once considered impossible.
Two Sides to An Aztec Warrior–The Eagle and the Jaguar
Ideas of dragons, quetzals and other iconography for SDSU’s spirit leader are great for exploration, but the answer is not that mysterious. The Aztecs themselves have already given us the answer.
By all signs, the human Aztec Warrior is not making a comeback any time soon. But when you consider the historical facts of ancient Mexica culture, the Warrior was represented in two animal distinctions.
Either a Jaguar or an Eagle represent the warriors in battle. Though SDSU fans may not want to face this reality—Zuma, if repurposed and executed correctly, can have a perfect fit. But it’s got to be done right.
If the mascot decision going forward is not a more historically stylized Zuma 2.0, then it is the Eagle which is the next model to aim for.
As glorious of a new home as Snapdragon Stadium is, if the in game environment is going to improve, ultimately it is up to us—the supporters. It’s time to make the call to have our mascot culture back.
It is time to bring back our mascot.
But now after ten years of this dismissal, is it possible that SDSU fans had it all wrong from the start?
His caring nature and selflessness are evident in his actions, as he often puts Melvin's needs before his own. Jimmy's personality adds depth to the story and emphasizes the importance of friendship. Another notable personality in the book is Coach Frank, the basketball coach who recognizes Melvin's potential and helps him develop his skills. Coach Frank's personality is characterized by his passion for the sport and dedication to his players. He pushes Melvin to reach his full potential and is instrumental in his development as a basketball player. Finally, the book explores the personality of Melvin's love interest, Lisa. Lisa is a kind and compassionate person who provides emotional support to Melvin throughout his journey. Her warm and caring nature complements Melvin's determined personality and adds a romantic element to the story. In summary, "They Call Me Magic" portrays a diverse range of fascinating personalities. From Melvin's determination and perseverance to the loyalty of his friend Jimmy, each character contributes to the overall narrative and highlights important themes such as friendship, love, and personal growth..
Reviews for "Breaking Barriers: Magic Johnson and the Politics of Sports"
1. Jane Doe - 2/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Personalities of They Call Me Magic". The writing style felt disjointed and confusing, making it difficult for me to connect with the characters or understand their motivations. Additionally, the plot felt aimless and meandering, without a clear direction or resolution. Overall, I found this book to be a frustrating and unsatisfying read.
2. John Smith - 1/5 stars - I couldn't get through "Personalities of They Call Me Magic". The writing was filled with clichés and the characters lacked depth. The dialogue felt forced and unnatural, making it difficult for me to become engrossed in the story. I found myself skipping pages just to get to the end, and even then, the conclusion left a lot to be desired. I would not recommend this book to others.
3. Samantha Johnson - 2/5 stars - I had high hopes for "Personalities of They Call Me Magic" but unfortunately, it fell short for me. The plot felt predictable and the characters were one-dimensional. The author's attempt at humor often missed the mark, leaving me cringing instead of laughing. While there were some interesting ideas and concepts in the book, they were not fully explored or developed. Overall, I found this book to be underwhelming and forgettable.