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Commentary: School mascot creates an uproar

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By Greg Billing, Staff Writer 9:44 PM Monday, January 23, 2012

Never let it be said that Draper, Utah, is a Cougar town.

School officials at Corner Canyon High School made certain of that. In search of a mascot for a new high school, officials tossed out the students’ selection of Cougars because nearby Brigham Young University — along with at least three other high schools in Utah — claim that as their mascot.

Oh, and because a number of adults complained Cougar is also slang for older women on the prowl for younger men.

What do school officials think is going to happen? Are they afraid if they blast a Cougar roar over the speaker system every time the football team gets a first down that middle-age women will hear it and descend from the hills wanting to date the students?

Cougars, incidentally, is used by at least 13 Ohio schools — with no reports of attacks. Yet.

Instead, Corner Canyon will be known as the Chargers. That seems fine at first glance, but aren’t they now subliminally encouraging students to rack up massive debt with credit cards?

Because, of course, what your high school mascot is should automatically stereotype you or your community members.

I mean just because I was a Viking doesn’t mean we spent our time in wood shop making shields, swords and constructing ships in anticipation that one day the Lost Creek would be swift enough to carry us to Troy and certain, decisive victory.

Hardly. We did because we wanted to. (Darn you shallow Lost Creek!)

And, what a great message the school is sending to its students. We want you to select your school mascot and be proud of it ... unless we cave because a few people take it out of context.

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