Oddball Promotion spurs Mascot Matrimony

Here is one of the strangest ideas I have heard:

The Lowell Spinners of Minor League Baseball have two official mascots, Canaligator (male) and Allie-Gator (female). The team recently hosted a wedding ceremony for the two mascots.

Nearly 500 people came out to the ballpark for the event, which was a stand-alone activity as the Spinners don’t open their season until June 20. Guests included mascot characters and fans. The wedding cake was made by local school students. The mayor of Lowell presided over the ceremony. The wedding flower bouquet was tossed into the stands for a fan to keep. All fans received Gatorade as they arrived, which was used to toast the mascot couple. (from team PR)

First of all, I was amused that they pointed out that Canaligator and Alliegator were different sexes, particularly in Massachusetts where that really wouldn’t matter. But it made me wonder….where else can you really do this? Who else has two suitable ready-to-marry mascots?

• UCLA has the two bears, but I thought they were brother and sister.
• The Charlotte Hornets had a female mascot for a while, but Hugo skipped town before that properly developed…now they are jilted ex-partners.
• Cornell University had two bears, “Touchdown” and a female (whose name I can’t find)….but the females seems to have left school and moved on.
• The Dayton Dragons have Heater and Gem, but I don’t think the team allows inter-office relationships, especially since it may upset their third mascot Wink.

Beyond those the opportunities are rare for furry matrimonial bliss. For every Harry the Hawk, Evan the Otter and Louie the Lion the pool of female mascots is significantly shallow. The ladies clearly have the power to be very selective, holding a very strong girl to guy ratio. Mudonna (St. paul Saints), Haley (WNBA Comets), Maddie the Dog (NY WNBA), and Julie the Rabbit (Astros) have their veritable pick of the mascot litter.

Of course there are some mascots who are too androgynous to categorize, like Doppler (Storm WNBA) and Stuff (Orlando Magic). Others make sure you know where they stand despite their uncertain features, like the Syracuse Orangeman and Mr. Met. And others simply plant their seed in ground, like the Stanford Tree, and clearly would have not have their eyes on any fellow mascot.

For those who do connect and find that special someone can rest well knowing the Swinging Friar can handle the proceedings.

One final word of caution. After the ceremony please do not throw rice at the happy couple. It could cause the stomachs of fine mascots like The Chicken, Edgar (Ravens NFL), Harry the Hawk, The Bird, BirdZerk! or the Diamond Duck (Richmond Braves) to explode.

-Cudo

Jon Cudo is the Founder and Editor of Gameops.com and a 21-year veteran in game presentation and the most tenured mascot in team sports. His blog covers everything from game night promotions, site news, mascotting, book reviews and more. It's not "must read"....but it's close.
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Tags: mascot marriage, mr. met, orangeman, padres, stanford