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My mind wandered a bit in the midst of the carnival that was the University of Maine women’s basketball game Saturday afternoon. There were a lot of distractions: a full blown moon-walk slide for the kiddies and four – yes four – pep bands from around the state packing the left side of Alfond Arena.
What did the bands bring with them from the far reaches of Madawaska, among other places? Mascots, that’s what. There was an owl – who was a hoot in his own right – but the highlight of the day was a tiger from Dexter.
This tiger delighted the crowd with classic mascot antics. He danced in a ridiculous fashion not seen since Samuel Powers donned the Bayside Tiger suit in “Saved by the Bell.” He mocked the court sweepers, telling them they’d missed a spot. He stole water bottles from press row and snatched WZON’s microphone to start an interview with an unsuspecting Clem Lebree.
In short, he looked thrilled to be there. A mascot who’s happy with his job? What a novelty – and something we haven’t seen here at UMaine in a couple of years.
Seriously, what the heck is up with Bananas? Inspired by the Dexter Tiger, I looked for UMaine’s bear at Saturday night’s hockey game and he was nowhere to be found. A nationally-televised game with no mascot would be heresy anywhere besides Orono.
The Alpha Phi Omega fraternity handles the mascot duties for UMaine and has for quite some time. But lately they’ve dropped the ball. It seems like Bananas hasn’t been the same since his makeover three years ago. I remember when he knocked out an Eagle mascot during a hockey game, his hilarious stripper routine and the night he wound up in jail at the Alfond. All that stuff was classic, but there hasn’t been a decent Bananas moment since Frank Doyle manned the net.
What gives? Maybe the best and most dedicated of the Bananas players graduated, or maybe the new, meaner-looking suit ruined the mystique. It doesn’t matter. The bottom line is that when Bananas does show up he’s boring and he needs to get his mojo back.
The best advice I have is to engage in mischief. It’s amazing what you can get away with when you’re wearing a giant animal suit. Boston University’s Rhett is the best with this stuff. He and I have a love-hate relationship that started two years ago when UMaine was trailing the Terriers during a hockey game. I was sporting my white home jersey and he was giving me the business as any good mascot would.
Greg Moore made my day when he scored to tie it up while Rhett was still nearby. I tapped him on the shoulder and asked him what he thought about that. His response? The oversized pooch snatched the hat off my head and tossed it 15 rows back into the balcony.
Everyone had a good laugh and I’ve been told the scene played out on the Jumbotron. When I visited BU for a basketball game in January, Rhett snatched the hat again. I felt a little less special since that must just be part of his routine, but it was still a riot. He also tortured the folks at the concession stand by handing out free cotton candy and soda to the patrons waiting in line.
Antics like this are what mascots are made of, and they were Bananas’ trademark years ago. Nowadays, everyone’s favorite Black Bear isn’t getting it done.
So Bananas, if you’re reading, it’s high time you found your smile, my friend. I’m sure I speak for many fans when I say that we miss you. If you need to bust out the old-school suit to make it happen, so be it. Whatever it takes, you have to get back to your mischevious, entertaining ways.
I’m sure APO has enough quality guys that someone can step up and bring Bananas back to the elites among mascots. But if they can’t, it’s time to step aside and find someone who can.
Anyone know if that tiger from Dexter has college plans?
