Duke Dog needs student support

House Editorial

For the first time in years, attendance at JMU’s home football games has reached a healthy number — largely because the Dukes stand in a dominating position in the Atlantic 10. Even last year, when the Dukes went 6-6, at least one face was the same at every game — Duke Dog, JMU’s canine mascot.

Despite all the ups and downs, the game of Duke Dog’s life starts next week when the finals for the Capital One Mascot Challenge begin. Duke Dog will face off against 11 other mascots from around the nation to determine who is the ultimate in college football furballs.

Students should have no problem with this competition — it’s all about pride and going crazy at football games. Every crazy fan strategy is more than encouraged — body paint, signs, and hair dye are necessities.

Duke Dog is up against mascots from schools as far afield as the University of Montana and as close to home as Virginia Tech — it’s high time to avenge that 43-0 loss in football last year.

JMU students are absolutely essential to pulling out a victory.

While the mascot’s personal intensity is important, the competition also involves crowd interaction and a popular vote. To win, JMU students must pack into the football games and go as crazy Saturday evenings as they do on Friday nights. Crowd intensity and interaction with Duke Dog are the wave of energy he must ride to the Capital One Bowl.

Crowd intensity won’t be enough, however — students are going to have to take one or two minute breaks from their instant messenger conversations to vote online for their favorite mascot in six head-to-head match ups. JMU has a long, uphill fight in the popular vote category — it’s outnumbered in student body size by eight of the other competitors. The theme of the season rears its head again — every vote counts. Luckily for students, no registration is necessary for this election.

This competition could bring a wealth of recognition to JMU — the winner is featured at halftime of the Capital One Bowl. As JMU seeks to become a more prominent university, publicity that shows prospective students how intense and vibrant a student body JMU has is invaluable — not too mention a major selling point for prospective athletes.

Duke Dog has done much for students over the years — now it’s time to show him the support he deserves. For the next few weeks, the only song in every student’s head should be the JMU fight song and everything should be tinged a little purple.