Campus reacts to mascot scuffle
Posted on September 27, 2007
Feathers flew at Saturday’s football game when Duke Dog and the Coastal Carolina Chanticleer got into a tussle near the twenty-yard line.
A video captured at the game and posted on You Tube shows the teal rooster on the fan side of Bridgeforth Stadium. The Chanticleer turned to walk away and the Duke Dog followed. The Duke Dog gave a hop, skip and light kick to the bird’s tail feather. It is unclear from the clip if contact was made with the other mascot. The Duke Dog then turned and walked in the opposite direction of the Chanticleer. The Chanticleer turned around and tackled Duke Dog to the ground twice in retaliation. At this time a police officer stepped in to break them up.
“It seemed like the Duke Dog was just playing around and the bird started it,” sophomore Chelsea Norman said. “[The Duke Dog] could have handled it better.
An officer attempted to escort Duke Dog away from the Chanticleer. According to the Daily News-Record, Duke Dog inadvertently hit the officer in the face while trying to get away.
Police escorted Duke Dog out of Bridgeforth Stadium, according to staff members in attendance. Much later in the game, after chants of “We want Duke Dog” and “Bring back Duke Dog” from Madison fans, the Duke Dog reportedly resurfaced and gave an obscene gesture to the Coastal Carolina team. He was once again escorted off the field.
“It was pretty crazy, so it’s good they took him out,” senior Katrina Bramhall said, adding that she was unsure as to whether the incident was staged or not.
Sophomore Chelsea Norman said it wasn’t Duke Dog’s fault.
“It seemed like Duke Dog was just playing around,” she said. “The bird started it.”
The JMU Police Department referred all questions on the incident to University Spokesman Don Egle.
Immediately following the game Egle released a statement to the press indicating that the individual who served as Duke Dog would no longer be appearing as the school’s mascot and said that the university was disapointed with his actions.
Egle said that at this time he is unaware of any arrests or charges. While he has not personally had any conversations with Coastal Carolina, Egle said the schools have spoken and are on good terms.
“Both universities strongly believe that what happened on Saturday was very unfortunate,” he said. “Both are ready to move forward.”
The individual identifying himself as the Duke Dog said he can not identify himself at this time because JMU disallowed his identity from being shared in any form.
Taylor Adkins, faculty advisor to the Student Duke Club said that sportsmanship is a top priority right now.
“The actions and the gestures did not represent what JMU stands for as far as
sportsmanship and the athletic department,” he said.
Students, however, have had mixed reactions to the incident.
“I didn’t think it was that bad,” John Wills. “It looked like a lot of clowning around until the CCU mascot took it too far.”
Sophomore Jonathan Rezadoost said it’s just because JMU is growing.
“Everyone acts so shocked, when the fact of the matter is the things that happen at bigger named schools are going to start happening here,” he said.
Other students disagreed.
“I don’t think the Duke Dog should be flicking off people if he’s supposed to represent JMU,” junior Catherine Gresham said.
Junior Caleb Bennetch agreed.
“I think it’s kind of embarrassing for the school, it’s sad that that has to be what represents JMU,” he said.
Senior Emma Dozier was upset she missed it.
“It’s about on the same footing as the ‘suck these nuts’ cheer,” she said. “It’s a delicate balance of school spirit.”
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