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What is Sycamore Sam?
- Thread starter Jason Svoboda
- Start date
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I'm calling BS. Sam is a joke of a mascot and it's ridiculous that we're still going with "it", which wis what "it" is. This is the kind of half-assed stuff State did during my time there and they need to correct stuff like this -- You need a mascot that is representative. Something that is marketable. Something you can slap on a tee.
How many Sycamore Sam logo shirts do you see worn? I'd say that number is at or close to 0.
Hey, I have a Sycamore Sam shirt...I will wear it tomorrow to the game. But I also call BS on that. Students laugh at Sam, and not becaue he is funny, because he is pretty sorry. I think it would be great to update him, make him into a specific animal and go with it. I have always said make the mascot a bluebird, it ties in well and would be recongnizable to the athletic history of ISU, and last time I checked, birds live in trees and we are a tree.
But I could deal with a "fighting" squirrel, I sure as hell could deal with a cannonball, heck we could even be a raccoon for all I care, but define him. If Delta State can be the "Statesman" which has the same issue as we do with "identifying the mascot" and they create an Okra plant with boxing gloves on, we can do something similar.
But I could deal with a "fighting" squirrel, I sure as hell could deal with a cannonball, heck we could even be a raccoon for all I care, but define him. If Delta State can be the "Statesman" which has the same issue as we do with "identifying the mascot" and they create an Okra plant with boxing gloves on, we can do something similar.
Amen, Brother Boda!
Amen!
Bring back Chief Quabachi and the Indian Princess. Work w/ the Miami and/or Wea Nation in Indiana; establish 1-5 scholarships for kids from those nations.
Do it accurate and tasteful and w/ the consent of the Miami and/or Wea!
OK -- Now that I've awoke from THAT dream; shutter Sam, do we NEED a mascot?
Isnt' the Cheer Team sufficient?!
Sycamores doesn't lend itself to ANY mascot?
Now, if we could pull off something as fun as the Okra...
Fear the Trees!
Go Fighting Trees!!
Amen!
Bring back Chief Quabachi and the Indian Princess. Work w/ the Miami and/or Wea Nation in Indiana; establish 1-5 scholarships for kids from those nations.
Do it accurate and tasteful and w/ the consent of the Miami and/or Wea!
OK -- Now that I've awoke from THAT dream; shutter Sam, do we NEED a mascot?
Isnt' the Cheer Team sufficient?!
Sycamores doesn't lend itself to ANY mascot?
Now, if we could pull off something as fun as the Okra...
Fear the Trees!
Go Fighting Trees!!
Sam is a fox. That's an easy one. How do I know this? Because when my daughter was a little girl, she'd go to the games and always wanted to see "Fox." So, Sam is a fox. That was easy...
Let's not confuse the concept of Sam with the person in the suit. The person in the suit has been really good for the last year or so. I've seen some Sams that were pretty lame, but this incarnation is pretty good. Not to mention the white mohawk that he added last year!
If you wanted to laugh, you should have seen the "new" Sam head that they got just in time for the 2008 MVC tournament in St. Louis. That head made Sam look like "The Joker" from the Batman movies. Now that was scary!!!
Let's not confuse the concept of Sam with the person in the suit. The person in the suit has been really good for the last year or so. I've seen some Sams that were pretty lame, but this incarnation is pretty good. Not to mention the white mohawk that he added last year!
If you wanted to laugh, you should have seen the "new" Sam head that they got just in time for the 2008 MVC tournament in St. Louis. That head made Sam look like "The Joker" from the Batman movies. Now that was scary!!!
S
SamTheFoxSquirrel
Guest
I am offended by the comments that I am hearing.
Genderless? Ask your mother about me being genderless, she know the truth.
Like my name states I am a foxsquirrel and hear is how it all happened:
My father was a fiesty abnormally large squirrel. Although he was big he still did normal squirrel things, gathered nuts, climbed trees and dug up parts of people yards just to piss them off. His whole life he was shunned by his own kind. He was not allowed to play in any squirrel games. So he took off to live his own life. He tried to have relations with other squirrels but was always turned away, like Morgan at a board meeting discussing a possible indoor track facility.
He lived the majority of his life alone and lonely until this one day he happened upon the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. She was a petite little fox that seemed to have a discoloration problem. It seems that she had a blue shade to her which was far different from the normal red that you see in a fox. She too had lived a life of humiliation due to her imperfection. But imperfection was the last thing that came to old dad's mind when he thought of this beautiful blue fox.
Of course they hit it off immediately and formed an unbreakable bond. Dad was on his own, just a squirrel trying to find a nut, and he found one alright. They did what all lover's do, you know what I'm saying. And in the fall of 1995 their pride and joy, your's truely, was born. They named me Sam and taught me how to dance. The rest is history.
I have been offended by the people at Indiana State ever since I got here, they have treated me as my parents family treated them. So maybe some day I will run away and never return, and you guys can look for another mascot to rock out the Sycamore uni. Until then I am here to stay and those of you that treat wrong I will chew your phone lines out of your house as soon as I find you.
Please a blue bird, that is terrible plus has anyone heard of creighton? Illinois State, a bird, come on people I am a one of a kind freak of nature. All I want is to be excepted for who I am, I am sorry I am not a great Indian Chief, but I do my best. Plus the kids think I am cool.
So get off my back!!!!!!
Genderless? Ask your mother about me being genderless, she know the truth.
Like my name states I am a foxsquirrel and hear is how it all happened:
My father was a fiesty abnormally large squirrel. Although he was big he still did normal squirrel things, gathered nuts, climbed trees and dug up parts of people yards just to piss them off. His whole life he was shunned by his own kind. He was not allowed to play in any squirrel games. So he took off to live his own life. He tried to have relations with other squirrels but was always turned away, like Morgan at a board meeting discussing a possible indoor track facility.
He lived the majority of his life alone and lonely until this one day he happened upon the most beautiful creature he had ever laid eyes on. She was a petite little fox that seemed to have a discoloration problem. It seems that she had a blue shade to her which was far different from the normal red that you see in a fox. She too had lived a life of humiliation due to her imperfection. But imperfection was the last thing that came to old dad's mind when he thought of this beautiful blue fox.
Of course they hit it off immediately and formed an unbreakable bond. Dad was on his own, just a squirrel trying to find a nut, and he found one alright. They did what all lover's do, you know what I'm saying. And in the fall of 1995 their pride and joy, your's truely, was born. They named me Sam and taught me how to dance. The rest is history.
I have been offended by the people at Indiana State ever since I got here, they have treated me as my parents family treated them. So maybe some day I will run away and never return, and you guys can look for another mascot to rock out the Sycamore uni. Until then I am here to stay and those of you that treat wrong I will chew your phone lines out of your house as soon as I find you.
Please a blue bird, that is terrible plus has anyone heard of creighton? Illinois State, a bird, come on people I am a one of a kind freak of nature. All I want is to be excepted for who I am, I am sorry I am not a great Indian Chief, but I do my best. Plus the kids think I am cool.
So get off my back!!!!!!
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Daveinth
The Wade Level
well said Sam just please leave my nuts alone
This post is an "exact" depiction of Sycamore fans view of Sam, CORNY! lol but very entertaining post! Nicely done!
Kids think Chucky Cheese is cool too. So that isn't what this is about. This is about the fact that if the university is going to have Sam, then use Sam to promote ISU. If not going to use Sam to promote, then what the heck does ISU have him for.
And trust me, I was Sam several times throughout my college career...for several games and events on campus. Heck I even wore that god foresaken suit at the Colts Training Camp when it was 105 degrees. I lost 12 lbs in 1 hour that day. I slept for 28 straight hours after drinking 2 gallons of water. I like Sam...but he isn't used well and the lack of a back story is sad.
I bring up a Bird, for obvious reasons. You leave Terre Haute and mention ISU...first things that comes up is BIRD. I have traveled extensively throught the US to many, many colleges with a job I used to hold. At every school I went to, this was the immediate response about me being an alumnus from ISU "Larry Bird, huh?" It sure makes more sense, than for the second time in ISU history making up a mascot from nothing. Sycamore Indians, made up. Sycamore Sam, made up.
And trust me, I was Sam several times throughout my college career...for several games and events on campus. Heck I even wore that god foresaken suit at the Colts Training Camp when it was 105 degrees. I lost 12 lbs in 1 hour that day. I slept for 28 straight hours after drinking 2 gallons of water. I like Sam...but he isn't used well and the lack of a back story is sad.
I bring up a Bird, for obvious reasons. You leave Terre Haute and mention ISU...first things that comes up is BIRD. I have traveled extensively throught the US to many, many colleges with a job I used to hold. At every school I went to, this was the immediate response about me being an alumnus from ISU "Larry Bird, huh?" It sure makes more sense, than for the second time in ISU history making up a mascot from nothing. Sycamore Indians, made up. Sycamore Sam, made up.
I seriously in vision a tree that is top heavy. The individual that is inside the tree will see out the middle of the tree that should be designed as a hole in the middle of the tree. If we are not referred to as the Sycamores then the only other thing I have ever heard is "trees".
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki3FXJQoFrI[/ame]
It's really not that hard people... Why does Indiana State make everything harder than it has to be? Be creative!
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcuDCKAVFbQ&NR=1[/ame]
You see this their is some really good mascot stuff out their! Look at the wheel at the end... LOL!
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5il7RAz5lA&feature=PlayList&p=6535D34D54879397&index=1[/ame]
1:26 priceless... You see, even if Sam is not the best mascot in the world, atleast they can be creative. You can make a mascot cool!
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki3FXJQoFrI[/ame]
It's really not that hard people... Why does Indiana State make everything harder than it has to be? Be creative!
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcuDCKAVFbQ&NR=1[/ame]
You see this their is some really good mascot stuff out their! Look at the wheel at the end... LOL!
[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5il7RAz5lA&feature=PlayList&p=6535D34D54879397&index=1[/ame]
1:26 priceless... You see, even if Sam is not the best mascot in the world, atleast they can be creative. You can make a mascot cool!
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country123a
The Starter Level
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Country growing up I learned one important thing about my life, if you are going to talk then you better be prepared to handle the possible responses. It takes broad shoulders lol. It was a clever post!
sycamore tuff
The Wade Level
The whole idea that we needed a new mascot was just more political correct BS. I have cherokee blood in me, though only about 1/8th. I've known several people with a lot higher percent than that. None of them have ever hinted that the use of their history is a bad thing. The simple truth is people wanted to be identified with whem. My ancesters tried to hide the fact that they were Indians. Now American Indians don't have to do that. I say bring back the chief and princess so we can associate ourselves with something we can be proud of!
But we can't...NCAA won't allow it. Especially because the Sycamore Indians was completely made up. Look at Miami of Ohio. They changed their mascot and the university is called MIAMI after the Miami tribal Nation. They were affiliated with teh tribe and still changed. I don't like it, but it is reality, we can't go back to Cheif and princesses...we just can't
nwi stater
The Captain Level
When I was at State, when the band started to play that Indian Tune, whatever it was,,, The hair on your arm would stick up and when the chief would come out and princess,,,man that was cool!!!! Thansks to some numb nuts NCAA. official it's over:evileye: My son went to Univ. N Dakota and they had to give up their logo too:naughty:
It CAN be done -- FLA STATE...
It IS ALLOWABLE; the school just needs to get 'buy in' from an Indian Nation.
Fla State is still is the 'Seminoles' and they have buy in from the Seminole Nation of FLA.
Now, the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma is a different story but the NCAA is cool w/ FLA State.
Miami U (OH) needed to change; c'mon, the 'Redskins?' I'm 100% native American and no, I have zero American Indian blood/heritage but I'm like 7th generation Hoosier American, sorry, hard to get more native than that.
BTW -- The NFL Redskins need to change as well; would most of the Irish-American's love nd if there were the nd stinking irish Mc's? Seriously doubt it.
As to UNorthDakota and their logo; they are still fighting w/ the NCAA (plus their largest donor will cease all future money AND make the school return the $$ he's already donated.
Think it's interesting that the Lakota/Dakota are leading this charge w/ NoDak. While commonly referred to as Sioux; they call themselves Lakota or Dakota, NOT SIOUX. So, why isn't Sioux allowed? (Sioux was the Crow word for Snake or Snake Peole, an insult)
It IS ALLOWABLE; the school just needs to get 'buy in' from an Indian Nation.
Fla State is still is the 'Seminoles' and they have buy in from the Seminole Nation of FLA.
Now, the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma is a different story but the NCAA is cool w/ FLA State.
Miami U (OH) needed to change; c'mon, the 'Redskins?' I'm 100% native American and no, I have zero American Indian blood/heritage but I'm like 7th generation Hoosier American, sorry, hard to get more native than that.
BTW -- The NFL Redskins need to change as well; would most of the Irish-American's love nd if there were the nd stinking irish Mc's? Seriously doubt it.
As to UNorthDakota and their logo; they are still fighting w/ the NCAA (plus their largest donor will cease all future money AND make the school return the $$ he's already donated.
Think it's interesting that the Lakota/Dakota are leading this charge w/ NoDak. While commonly referred to as Sioux; they call themselves Lakota or Dakota, NOT SIOUX. So, why isn't Sioux allowed? (Sioux was the Crow word for Snake or Snake Peole, an insult)
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Unfortunately, it wasn't some numbnut in the NCAA that did it. It was our own director of affirmative action and the SGA president. I was a fraternity brother of him, and it was his mission to get this done. Stupid, stupid, stupid...
What was the reasoning behind it? Had anyone ever complained to ISU? That is, anyone that the complaint would be valid? Too many people get butt hurt over stuff they have no business being offended about. It pisses me off to no end.
That's the real pisser of the whole thing. There was no reason behind it - just PC bulls--t. Oh the arguments we had amongst our fraternity brothers. Actually, it was just about the whole fraternity arguing against the SGA president...
The story I heard from the SGA...
at one football game, the Chief straddled his lance and chased a cheerleader and/or the Princess around. The entire episode lasted less than a minute; basically the Cheer Team goofing around during a time-out.
A minor ISU bureaucrat/administrator saw it; got on her SOAPBOX and beat the story like no one's business...
However, the only word from State was a small newsblurb in the Statesman. The student population was so 'outraged' that there was ZERO response.
The SGA VP I discussed this with gave me a lot of 'high-brow' uber-PC talk how 'disrespectful, un-enlightened, quasi-racist' the Chief and Princess were; lot of blah, blah, blah.
There were no complaints from outside the University; there was no formal protest from the Miami or Wea Nations; the entire episode was a 'blip' and was gone.
Sadly, the response from Alumni and Students was appalling.
Now, to be accurate, the Chief and Pricess SHOULD have been modeled after an Eastern Woodland Indian Nation, not a Western Plains Indian Nation. True, there is not now, nor was there ever a 'Sycamore' Indian Nation; but the Haute and the Wabash Valley had a vast number of Indian villages; as did the state as a whole. Hmmmm - Indiana = 'Land of the Indians'
The majority of the state names in the Union are directly or in-directly named for American Indian nations, or from their languages.
Should the NCAA ban all nicknames someone finds offensive?! I like the FLA ST model.
at one football game, the Chief straddled his lance and chased a cheerleader and/or the Princess around. The entire episode lasted less than a minute; basically the Cheer Team goofing around during a time-out.
A minor ISU bureaucrat/administrator saw it; got on her SOAPBOX and beat the story like no one's business...
However, the only word from State was a small newsblurb in the Statesman. The student population was so 'outraged' that there was ZERO response.
The SGA VP I discussed this with gave me a lot of 'high-brow' uber-PC talk how 'disrespectful, un-enlightened, quasi-racist' the Chief and Princess were; lot of blah, blah, blah.
There were no complaints from outside the University; there was no formal protest from the Miami or Wea Nations; the entire episode was a 'blip' and was gone.
Sadly, the response from Alumni and Students was appalling.
Now, to be accurate, the Chief and Pricess SHOULD have been modeled after an Eastern Woodland Indian Nation, not a Western Plains Indian Nation. True, there is not now, nor was there ever a 'Sycamore' Indian Nation; but the Haute and the Wabash Valley had a vast number of Indian villages; as did the state as a whole. Hmmmm - Indiana = 'Land of the Indians'
The majority of the state names in the Union are directly or in-directly named for American Indian nations, or from their languages.
Should the NCAA ban all nicknames someone finds offensive?! I like the FLA ST model.