The Guinness Book of World Records has declared Ozzie the Ocelot – the short-lived mascot of the disappearing University of Texas at Brownsville – as the school mascot with the shortest period of existence before its extinction.
Ozzie (we hardly knew ye) was in existence for the better part of a year and a half before it was barreled over by the University of Texas System as it sped headlong toward establishing the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley school.
We still remember the pomp and circumstance with which the nocturnal ocelot was trotted out by then-UTB President Julieta Garcia as the representative of the world-class institution of higher learning.It makes your skin crawl just to hear the inspiration behind the words that she posted on her blog Sept. 21, 2012.
"The crowd that gathered at the mascot unveiling on August 31st was spectacular. The UTB spirit was palpable as we looked out over the sea of burnt orange umbrellas to catch glimpses of the homemade signs promoting mascot favorites in the final hour, the UTB logo painted on fresh faces declaring school spirit and students clustered around the two-story colored banners to show their allegiance to each finalist.
"And as Senior Communication Major Normalinda Vera sang out “The Ocelot!” as the final mascot chosen by our students, the ringing university bell, the staccato pounding of the drum line and the showering confetti ensured that we would always remember the year, the day, and the very moment we were all gathered to welcome the Ocelot to UT Brownsville."
The student body president of UTB has chastised that city and its commissioners for attempting to keep the Bronco mascot over a new choice to be decided. Apparently, it is mascot killing season here as well as there. Looks like "Bucky,"too, will be put out to pasture with Ozzie.Since we've already had the christening, doesn't Ozzie also deserve a proper christian burial to put him out of his misery? Or will the faithful mascot be put out to a quiet death ignored by his adoring fans? Is there balm in Gilead? Will no one shed a tear for Ozzie?
1 comment:
The students of UTB are mis-guided in their attempt to keep the "Ocelot" as their mascot even with the new UT-RGV taking over. I support those who would keep the "Broncos" as the mascot and logo for the new University, We are getting to the point that the "Mockingbird" as a mascot is like saying we are the "Pussies". Get a life.
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