If you have been to any sporting event on the University of Indianapolis campus, there is a high probability that you have seen Ace, the university mascot. Dressed in either a football or basketball jersey, Ace is a very energetic mascot who is known for his crazy dance moves and lovable spirit.
However, when I see him one question comes to my mind: why don’t we have a real live greyhound as our mascot?
My mind always travels to Butler, which has not only a mascot like Ace, but also Butler Blue III as a real, live sidekick.
I think the time has come to give Ace a sidekick here at UIndy.
Let’s all go back in time, to when the term “UIndy Greyhound” was officially adopted at the university.
According to Fredrick Hill, author of “Downright Devotion to the Cause: A History of The University of Indianapolis and Its Legacy of Service,” “In the fall of 1926, an article [by The Reflector] announcing that the ‘Cardinal and Grey Warriors’ were ready to meet the Earlham College team in Central’s first football game of the season bore the headline ‘Central Greyhounds Ready For Quakers.’
A few weeks later, a group of fans gathered in Men’s Hall to choose a name that would do justice to the scrapping Cardinal and Grey Warriors.
They eventually agreed on Greyhounds because the Indiana Central athlete, like a greyhound, ‘is a long, lean animal renowned for its speed, jumping prowess, and fighting heart.’”
In 1965, Central did have a real, live pet as a mascot, but only for a short time. According to Hill, “The College received a gift from Edward Bright, former coach and athletic director at Indiana Central, one of his Greyhound racers that had suffered a broken leg and would not be able to race again.
The campus community was happy to accept the mascot, named Dixie, but she was unable to adapt completely to her new role.
For her own well-being, Dixie was returned to her former owner in Florida after about two years on campus.”
So why is a Greyhound such a good dog to own? Greyhounds are very low-maintenance dogs with few health problems.
According to GPA-Wisconsin, greyhounds are generally healthy dogs, and live for 12-15 years.
This means that we would not have to get a new mascot very often. At least three graduating classes would be able to get to know just one of these lovable canines.
Also according to GPA-Wisconsin, “Greyhounds have virtually no ‘doggy’ odor, even when wet. They have short hair, do not shed much, and do not require grooming other than an occasional bath, brushing, and nail clipping.”
This is a huge advantage to whoever would be housing the dog, because the dog would be virtually unnoticeable smell-wise in the house.
Having a live Greyhound also would be a good addition to the campus community.
According to dogtime.com, “Greyhounds generally have a wonderful temperament, being friendly and non-aggressive.
The Greyhound combines a stately appearance with a friendly attitude toward people and other dogs.”
Because the Greyhound has this trait, our real, live mascot would be able to attend events all over the state of Indiana if necessary.
Also according to GPA Wisconsin, “They are intelligent and independent, even catlike in ways.” This means Ace’s sidekick could easily learn tricks to keep the crowd fired up and would be easy to train.
I am not saying that we should replace Ace, I am saying that if Ace had a sidekick that would be a pretty cool deal.
Greyhounds have numerous health benefits, as well as traits that can be used to boost the morale of the campus community.
