Chief-Hawks vs the Indian - Cardinal

First off I am sure some of you are wondering why there was no blog after the CSUB game in which SU won 73.54 behind Chad "I didn't step past the three point line on route to 8 for 10 shooting 3.s and a team high 24 points.  Because I was in a hospital bed and could not even listen to the game which was very frustrating.  Don't worry I'll be OK - that is, if you actually were worrying.  Anyway on to the next task at hand.

The headline to today's blog scouting Stanford University is very appropriate.  Doing some mascot research I found some interesting similarities (which I already knew) but wanted to enlighten you on both SU's woes and Stanford's woes.

This is Stanford's original mascot the Indian, Stanford burst on to the collegiate scene the same time SU did - 1891.  Wow, SU was once the Chieftains.  Then all hell broke loose and we are the Redhawks and Stanford does not have a mascot, rather they are the Stanford Cardinal with no plural because it is in reference to their school colors Cardinal & White.  But then who runs along the court cheering on the fans?  A big block of red with two arms and two legs sticking out like sponge bob yet cardinal in color?  Why no the Stanford Tree!

You know, I have trashing mascots all season long, as well as Rudy and I am really starting to get to like these guys - and this tree, pretty creative - I could get inspired by him - with an AX!  Just kidding Mr. Tree you're cute and since I have been researching mascots I could actually find myself being an expert on them.Maybe I could write a book - the History of the Division I mascots A to Z

What is the history of Stanford's mascot and nickname?
The unique origins of Stanford’s mascot and nickname have a history that dates back to the University’s founding in 1891. While the Cardinal has always been one of the school’s official colors, the nickname has gone through a series of changes, student votes, controversy and confusion.
Since 1981, Stanford has been known as the Cardinal. Stanford was known as the "Indians" from 1930-72. As for the mascot, Stanford does not officially have one. The "Tree," which is a member of the Stanford Band, has been mistaken as the school’s mascot, but it is not ...
...Stanford did not have an "official" nickname until Indians was adopted in 1930. For years prior, the Indian had been part of the Stanford athletic tradition. Perhaps it grew out of the fact that Cal’s symbol was the Bear, or it may have come from the large Indian population of the area, or from Indian paraphernalia in abundance in the late 1800’s. Whatever the origin, it was accepted by sportswriters and gradually gained wide recognition.   The Indian symbol was eventually dropped in 1972 following meetings between Stanford native American students and President Richard Lyman. The 55 students, supported by the other 358 American Indians enrolled in California colleges, felt the mascot was an insult to their culture and heritage. As a result of these talks and the ensuing publicity, the Stanford Student Senate voted 18-4 to drop the Indian symbol, and Lyman agreed - sound familiar

Stanford and SU actually flipped mascot concepts, for the original nickname for SU was the Maroons after their color in 1891 and now Stanford the Cardinal after their color today.

Stanford plays in the PAC 10 for any of you living in a cave, they are 14-14 overall and 7-10 in the conference, 6-0 at home in the Maples Pavilion and have lost 4 out of their last five and sit in 8th place.  I really believe SU, who has played two other PAC 10 schools this year in a win over OSU and a loss to UW can compete.  Why?  Just because I have been sitting in a hospital bed for three days.

After Stanford, SU has two remaining games against Idaho, then the final home game against Portland State.  Listen to the game tonight on KIRO AM 710 ESPN or if you are like me - house ridden - you can find it on your computer at the Stanford athletic site.