My Raider Romp

Remember the Wright State Raider that was lurking near my cage yesterday? (See post below for visual.) Yeah, he got dealt with...

Here's hoping my fellow Bulldogs do likewise on Thursday evening (9 p.m. EST) at Hinkle Fieldhouse.

By the way, no actual Wright State Raiders were physically harmed in the making of this film. All harm was inflicted figuratively.

And yes, Wright State considers the "Raider" to be a wolf. I don't get it either. Perhaps the Wright State Mangy Dingos would be more descript. They actually changed from a red-bearded Viking to a wolf. The wolf is now known as "Rowdy Raider."

Here's a picture of WSU's current (middle) and former mascots...

I see why they switched from the crazy-eyed Viking. That thing is sure to scare all small children. I believe that to be what a suspect sketch artist would draw if you said the criminal resembled the off-spring off a Keebler Elf and one of Willy Wonka's Ump-Lumpas. (Sorry, that's the best I could come up with this close to bed time.)

Regardless, somewhere Wilbur, Orville and Ovid are sitting around a table, smoking pipes, wearing distinguished suits and asking each other who came up with "Bulldogs" and "Raiders."

Oh well, at least WSU's "guy in a suit" actually resemlbes their mascot...which is more than we can say for a certain school in Des Moines, Iowa. (For visual, see post below...again.)

Enough about the Raiders, let's just settle this on the court Thursday night.

In case you missed it, I was featured in Sports Illustrated.com's photo account from the Bulter/Drake game this past Saturday.

The picture taken by John Biever can be seen here: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedia/photo_gallery/0802/campus.superfans.feb26/content.5.html

Also, mad props to A.J. Graves and Drew Streicher for being named to the 2008 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America University Division Men's Basketball Team, chosen by CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America). The two Butler student-athletes were among 15 players chosen to the honor squad, and Butler was the lone university to have more than one player selected!

Nice work fellas...not only can you challenge opponents in a game of hoops, but you also can dominate in the occasional standardized test-off. Clearly old "Dawgs" can learn new tricks!

Blue II

Tread Lightly Young Raider

I hate to dwell too much on the men's basketball team, especially when there are so many other great student athletes on campus, not to mention so many other great students who don't even play a sport.

However, this time of year, it's inevitable...especially given the success of our team and the fact that their games are a big part of my life.

Well, the Butler men's squad took one on the chin against the Drake University Bulldogs on Saturday evening. It was Bulldogs versus Bulldogs in a dog fight that would make even the likes of Michael Vick blush. It was indeed a hard fought game and while Drake gave us all we wanted, perhaps it was our own mistakes that cost us the victory. Or maybe we had some help too. (Yeah, I said it.) You decide...

More game pictures by Brad Ward at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bradjward/sets/72157603974817341/

Oh well, if we had to lose, I suppose there's no shame in losing to our own kind. I'd rather go down to a fellow Bulldog than some joke of a mascot.

Speaking of mascots, I almost had the last laugh against "Spike," the Drake Bulldog, on Saturday night. This embarrasing representation of the breed nearly left part of his leg in Hinkle Fieldhouse courtesy of my teeth! Hey what would you do if that deranged looking Eastern Grey squirrel came charging you and your mom in the stands?

Turns out he was just rallying his fellow Drake fans, but I thought he meant blood. Luckily my mom pulled me off just in time. Sorry Spike!

Congrats to Drake and good luck in the NCAA tournament.

Left dispirited from the loss, I can't help but consume myself with the thought of cleansing my palate from defeat's bitter taste. What's the best way to overcome defeat? Through victory, of course!

Next victim: The Wright State Raiders. Remember, they took us down by one point earlier in the season at their place. Combine our angst from Saturday with our loss to them earlier in the season and this could get ugly.

I even saw a Raider lurking around my den earlier this morning. I will share his fate with you later in the week.


The game is scheduled for this Thursday at 9 p.m. (EST) and will be aired on ESPNU. It's also Young Alumni Night at Hinkle Fieldhouse. I will be there and I hope you will be too!

After all, you just might end up on camera! That's right, Kelly of The Indianapolis Star will be following me around to shoot more video for my profile. She hung out with me around the office and at home on Friday afternoon and is coming back for some game footage on Thursday. The profile should be featured online sometime during the NCAA tournament, next month.

Well, as The Bangles once said, "it's just another manic monday," and I've got work to do...and so do you!

So have a great week and I'll report back soon.

Blue II

P.S. If you are a runner and are in the Indianapolis area, then you need to get yourself signed up for BUSF's 16th annual Bulldog Jog! Originally held during Homecoming weekend, will take place on Saturday, March 1 on the Butler campus. Proceeds from the 5K run/walk will benefit the Butler University Student Foundation Book Scholarship. Visit here for details to sign up: http://www.butler.edu/alumni/index.aspx?pg=4393