I just have to get this off my chest:
Apparently there are two people manning the Blaze costume this basketball season. One of them maybe the best I've ever seen (no offense, BTR), but the other absolutely SUCKS!
Has anyone else noticed this?
Uh oh...is there a Blaze that posts on this board? I didn't know that...well, if it is the one that sucks....YOU SUCK! :chair:
blazr Wrote:I just have to get this off my chest:
Apparently there are two people manning the Blaze costume this basketball season. One of them maybe the best I've ever seen (no offense, BTR), but the other absolutely SUCKS! Has anyone else noticed this?
Actually, there are three.
WOW...I'm kinda offended and a hell of a lot more flattered.
<span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>
Disclaimer: I only post as MYSELF, not Blaze...however, this one time...</span>
As a matter of fact, I've had many people point this out to me. Yes, (and I say this with no ego intended or otherwise) all of BlazerNation has been spoiled w/ great mascoting for the past ~3 yrs, just like they where spoiled in the days of BTR. I appreciate your concern about Blaze as a character and public figure, however, I wish you could have been a bit more...tasteful...about how you did it.
It takes years of experience to become truly good at something. I've put in almost 5 yrs behind a mask/head of some sort. So, I have worked with my fellow 'scots extensively on the skills, manorisms(sp), and endurance it takes. However, they are still very "green". They work very hard, and learn new things everytime they walk in those claws. I cannot "be Blaze" all the time. I have to allow others a chance to share the suit. No, they may not be as talented or as active as I am, but they are trying.
I am, however, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY flattered that I maybe the best mascot you've ever seen. I have nothing but love for all of BlazerNation. I'm doing what I do b/c of YOU, nothing else. Thanks for the love!
I gotta say, I am very Greatful for all Blaze does at the games. With all his commitments on Game Night he took the time to come up and have a picture made with my wife and daughter last Saturday. My wife sang the National Anthem that night and it meant alot to her to have a picture made with Blaze to mark the event.
Thanks Blaze, you made my wife and little girl's night.
Blazr4life, are you retiring your alterego after this year?
To me the biggest difference in the old days and today is that mascots are not allowed to do what they used to. I remember Beauregard used to have all kinds of props that he used to harrass the referees. That could never be done today.
He also used to take part in some of the cheer and dance routines. I remember a big production in the early 1980's where Beau was the peak of a cheerleading pyramid.
Today, mascots are there to hug the toddlers and shake the kiddies hands. During football season and basketball tournaments, you might get a good mascot on mascot fight (BTR, you have already told us many times how you could beat up other mascots :D ), but otherwise there is not much to be done, from what I can see. However, there is still something missing about the environment if Blaze is not there and sooner or later, you start thinking and even obsessing "Where's Blaze?"
Also, why hasn't blaze ever appeared in a Sports Center commercial?
I am back from 8 days in the mountains and happy to see mascots are a topic. I always used props, I worked with the cheerleading sponsor to have some of the timeouts, halftime activities where they focused on Beau, not just there watching the cheerleaders. To Blaze's defense, the costume itself does not lend to as much freedom as I had. You can't do flips or even throw the cheerleaders up in that costume the way I could because the design. I never asked permission to do anything but sometimes it is easier to ask forgiveness than permission. I always harrassed the refs... you just have to know what you can get away with. Also, people come to the game to see BASKETBALL, not the mascot... ok, some kids come to see the mascot but you have to know your place. When there is no action, that is when the mascot shines, looking for any opportunity to grab attention, during the action, you pretty much play with kids so their parents can watch the game.
Come on Blaze... kick some mascot rear!
Anyway... enough of that... GO BLAZERS!!!!
Quote:Actually, there are three.
WOW...I'm kinda offended and a hell of a lot more flattered.
Disclaimer: I only post as MYSELF, not Blaze...however, this one time...
As a matter of fact, I've had many people point this out to me. Yes, (and I say this with no ego intended or otherwise) all of BlazerNation has been spoiled w/ great mascoting for the past ~3 yrs, just like they where spoiled in the days of BTR. I appreciate your concern about Blaze as a character and public figure, however, I wish you could have been a bit more...tasteful...about how you did it.
It takes years of experience to become truly good at something. I've put in almost 5 yrs behind a mask/head of some sort. So, I have worked with my fellow 'scots extensively on the skills, manorisms(sp), and endurance it takes. However, they are still very "green". They work very hard, and learn new things everytime they walk in those claws. I cannot "be Blaze" all the time. I have to allow others a chance to share the suit. No, they may not be as talented or as active as I am, but they are trying.
I am, however, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY flattered that I maybe the best mascot you've ever seen. I have nothing but love for all of BlazerNation. I'm doing what I do b/c of YOU, nothing else. Thanks for the love!
That's all well and good (and I made this post with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek) but I've seen good, I've seen average, and I've seen poor. I take pride in my mascot and, IMHO, it's the best mascot in all college sports. That's why it's so frustrating to see someone don the costume and just stand there...maybe half-assed clap every now and then. I want Blaze to blow the fans away...hell, I want everything around our sporting events to blow the fans away...especially when I see UAT or AU fans at the games. I guess I'll leave it at that...
blazr Wrote:That's all well and good (and I made this post with my tongue firmly planted in my cheek) but I've seen good, I've seen average, and I've seen poor. I take pride in my mascot and, IMHO, it's the best mascot in all college sports. That's why it's so frustrating to see someone don the costume and just stand there...maybe half-assed clap every now and then. I want Blaze to blow the fans away...hell, I want everything around our sporting events to blow the fans away...especially when I see UAT or AU fans at the games. I guess I'll leave it at that...
I agree with you 100%. I did all I could to get all the attention that I could for Beau. I did more birthday parties than I can remember, I taught mascot clinics at local high schools, I tried to take advantage of every single time out and half time. When I was in the states at games last year, it bugged me to see Blaze stand around, especially if he was blocking my view :) Beauregard NEVER sat down, he was always active and always into something.
Anyway, that is not meant to be a cheap shot at Blaze. I hope he does wonders. I haven't been able to be at any games this year so I can't comment on his activities, but I too would want him to be very active and the best mascot in the country!
BTR
Hmm...It seems I have a bit more support than I realized...
To answer MB, not that I'm aware of. And as a matter of fact, I've got at least another two years...on my degree.
As for SC, well, I've never gotten the call/chance! There are, however, a few things I'm looking forward to trying this year.
1) Capital One Bowl Challenge
2) Orlando Mascot Olympics
3) Mascot Nationals
4) and yes, my own SportsCenter Commercial
Also, I believe I'm going to be asked to be "Babe Ruff" for the B-ham Barons this year, but that's just a rumor...
To blazr:
No offense meant at all! I completely understand about taking pride in you mascot. Whenever I see "Blaze" mess up, I make a mental note and work with "Blaze" to get it fixed. The way I look at it, the way Blaze looks is a direct reflection on me (and my university). And I agree, i want "Blaze" to blow everyone away, just as much (actually sometimes more) as I want the team to blow everyone away!
To BTR:
In the begining ('02), I was actually taught to be "still and squat" during the game. It is very hard for Blaze not to be in the way of all the fans at the East End, but "Blaze" tried very hard to give everyone the best experience possible.
To everyone:
I share in the sentiment that Blaze IS the best mascot in the country. I think now is the time we convince the rest of the country...
Memphis Blazer Wrote:Blazr4life, are you retiring your alterego after this year?
To me the biggest difference in the old days and today is that mascots are not allowed to do what they used to. I remember Beauregard used to have all kinds of props that he used to harrass the referees. That could never be done today.
He also used to take part in some of the cheer and dance routines. I remember a big production in the early 1980's where Beau was the peak of a cheerleading pyramid.
Today, mascots are there to hug the toddlers and shake the kiddies hands. During football season and basketball tournaments, you might get a good mascot on mascot fight (BTR, you have already told us many times how you could beat up other mascots :D ), but otherwise there is not much to be done, from what I can see. However, there is still something missing about the environment if Blaze is not there and sooner or later, you start thinking and even obsessing "Where's Blaze?"
Also, why hasn't blaze ever appeared in a Sports Center commercial?
Better yet, why isn't Blazer in the NCAA football games for Xbox and PS2?
Blaze is arguably the coolest mascot in NCAA history.
Blzer4Life Wrote:Hmm...It seems I have a bit more support than I realized...
To answer MB, not that I'm aware of. And as a matter of fact, I've got at least another two years...on my degree.
As for SC, well, I've never gotten the call/chance! There are, however, a few things I'm looking forward to trying this year.
1) Capital One Bowl Challenge
2) Orlando Mascot Olympics
3) Mascot Nationals
4) and yes, my own SportsCenter Commercial
Also, I believe I'm going to be asked to be "Babe Ruff" for the B-ham Barons this year, but that's just a rumor...
To blazr:
No offense meant at all! I completely understand about taking pride in you mascot. Whenever I see "Blaze" mess up, I make a mental note and work with "Blaze" to get it fixed. The way I look at it, the way Blaze looks is a direct reflection on me (and my university). And I agree, i want "Blaze" to blow everyone away, just as much (actually sometimes more) as I want the team to blow everyone away!
To BTR:
In the begining ('02), I was actually taught to be "still and squat" during the game. It is very hard for Blaze not to be in the way of all the fans at the East End, but "Blaze" tried very hard to give everyone the best experience possible.
To everyone:
I share in the sentiment that Blaze IS the best mascot in the country. I think now is the time we convince the rest of the country...
Hey Blaze !
Please don't take me wrong... I was not trying to criticize you. Who told you to sit still? Are his initials A M ? That is just crazy. Why bother having a mascot. You should never sit still, you should always be doing something. When I started, we had a professional mascot come from one of the pro basketball teams and work with me for two days. It was a great help. Of course, the cheerleading camp at ETSU was also fun, but I never learned much there... I was too busy having fun.
I worked with the sound people and worked up skits/activities based around music that they would play. They would actually play the music I requested. Anyway, you just have to fight the powers that be to let you be a mascot and not a paper weight.
Coolest mascot? Hmmm... I would not go that far, there are some really awesome mascots out there that give you much more mobility than Blaze.
Please, please, please, do not bring up the dark ages by bringing up the gay viking :)
BTR
BTR Wrote:Blzer4Life Wrote:Hmm...It seems I have a bit more support than I realized...
To answer MB, not that I'm aware of. And as a matter of fact, I've got at least another two years...on my degree.
As for SC, well, I've never gotten the call/chance! There are, however, a few things I'm looking forward to trying this year.
1) Capital One Bowl Challenge
2) Orlando Mascot Olympics
3) Mascot Nationals
4) and yes, my own SportsCenter Commercial
Also, I believe I'm going to be asked to be "Babe Ruff" for the B-ham Barons this year, but that's just a rumor...
To blazr:
No offense meant at all! I completely understand about taking pride in you mascot. Whenever I see "Blaze" mess up, I make a mental note and work with "Blaze" to get it fixed. The way I look at it, the way Blaze looks is a direct reflection on me (and my university). And I agree, i want "Blaze" to blow everyone away, just as much (actually sometimes more) as I want the team to blow everyone away!
To BTR:
In the begining ('02), I was actually taught to be "still and squat" during the game. It is very hard for Blaze not to be in the way of all the fans at the East End, but "Blaze" tried very hard to give everyone the best experience possible.
To everyone:
I share in the sentiment that Blaze IS the best mascot in the country. I think now is the time we convince the rest of the country...
Hey Blaze !
Please don't take me wrong... I was not trying to criticize you. Who told you to sit still? Are his initials A M ? That is just crazy. Why bother having a mascot. You should never sit still, you should always be doing something. When I started, we had a professional mascot come from one of the pro basketball teams and work with me for two days. It was a great help. Of course, the cheerleading camp at ETSU was also fun, but I never learned much there... I was too busy having fun.
I worked with the sound people and worked up skits/activities based around music that they would play. They would actually play the music I requested. Anyway, you just have to fight the powers that be to let you be a mascot and not a paper weight.
Coolest mascot? Hmmm... I would not go that far, there are some really awesome mascots out there that give you much more mobility than Blaze.
Please, please, please, do not bring up the dark ages by bringing up the gay viking :)
BTR
Gotta love Andy
It wasn't Andy :)
But... speaking of him, how long has he been there?
BTR Wrote:It wasn't Andy :)
But... speaking of him, how long has he been there?
Haha...you said "AM," which strangely matches "Andy Marsch"
Andy's been here since 1994 or 1995, I believe.
I graduated in 1993... Andy was there well before then.
He was there in the early to mid-80's, as well.
bftb Wrote:He was there in the early to mid-80's, as well.
Well... he ought to be up for retirement soon. If that is the case, WE ALL NEED TO SUBMIT STLouis' resume in for the job!
BTR Wrote:I graduated in 1993... Andy was there well before then.
I don't think he's always been assistant director of Student Life
That was his job when I was there.
BTR Wrote:That was his job when I was there.
Okay, guess not
I just remember this because I was mascot at the time .... and my wife worked in that office for workstudy.
