2008 Woodie Awards
New mascot would increase respect for athletes, university
Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: Opinion/Editorial
- Page 1 of 1
Since 1984, Webster University athletes have proudly represented their school in competition while never completely knowing why their mascot was a mythical buffalo-cheetah-dog named after two streets. Twenty-three years later, it's finally time to confront the notion that not everyone on campus is satisfied with the Gorlok.
As WU students, we are desensitized to the concept of the Gorlok from day one, from the first moment we ask, "Our mascot is a what, now?" and get an ambiguous answer steeped in tradition. We naturally have accepted that no one knows why we continue to be represented by something that sounds like a Pokémon.
There are several problems observers tend to have with the Gorlok. He's named after the intersection of Gore and Lockwood Avenues, in the heart of Old Webster, which isn't even part of the WU campus. Also, if he's named after Lockwood, why isn't he a Gorlock?
The most common question is, of course, what is a Gorlok? The "legend" claims a Gorlok has the paws of a speeding cheetah, the horns of a fierce buffalo, and the face of a dependable Saint Bernard. This "legend" is nothing more than the creativity of WU students in 1984, who decided that instead of picking one mascot, they would combine three mascots into one - until it made no sense.
As WU's athletic program experiences increasing success, generating more NCAA tournament appearances, and therefore more exposure, it's time to do our athletes and school justice and consider changing our mascot to something that actually exists. By trying to pull a Billiken and be "mythical," we've only served to make our athletic program look younger and less professional than it actually is.
The Gorlok has grown to be a bit of a joke on campus, and as a result, he's becoming a joke to those outside of the school. The Gorlok has been mentioned among the worst college mascots in the U.S. on several Web sites. It's time to face the reality that no one understands the originally intended ideas of the Gorlok.
Although we've grown accustomed to seeing the little furry guy "embody the highest standards of speed, agility and stamina in an atmosphere of fairness and good conduct," it's time to consider a widespread effort to change our mascot to something that is a better representation of Webster University. Or at least something that looks like it was conceived by someone over 12-years-old.
As WU students, we are desensitized to the concept of the Gorlok from day one, from the first moment we ask, "Our mascot is a what, now?" and get an ambiguous answer steeped in tradition. We naturally have accepted that no one knows why we continue to be represented by something that sounds like a Pokémon.
There are several problems observers tend to have with the Gorlok. He's named after the intersection of Gore and Lockwood Avenues, in the heart of Old Webster, which isn't even part of the WU campus. Also, if he's named after Lockwood, why isn't he a Gorlock?
The most common question is, of course, what is a Gorlok? The "legend" claims a Gorlok has the paws of a speeding cheetah, the horns of a fierce buffalo, and the face of a dependable Saint Bernard. This "legend" is nothing more than the creativity of WU students in 1984, who decided that instead of picking one mascot, they would combine three mascots into one - until it made no sense.
As WU's athletic program experiences increasing success, generating more NCAA tournament appearances, and therefore more exposure, it's time to do our athletes and school justice and consider changing our mascot to something that actually exists. By trying to pull a Billiken and be "mythical," we've only served to make our athletic program look younger and less professional than it actually is.
The Gorlok has grown to be a bit of a joke on campus, and as a result, he's becoming a joke to those outside of the school. The Gorlok has been mentioned among the worst college mascots in the U.S. on several Web sites. It's time to face the reality that no one understands the originally intended ideas of the Gorlok.
Although we've grown accustomed to seeing the little furry guy "embody the highest standards of speed, agility and stamina in an atmosphere of fairness and good conduct," it's time to consider a widespread effort to change our mascot to something that is a better representation of Webster University. Or at least something that looks like it was conceived by someone over 12-years-old.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 11
Deborah Marshall
posted 10/10/07 @ 1:05 PM CST
As an extended campus graduate and employee I am glad to know that I am not the only one that thought our mascot needed to be REPLACED. A contest like the one run October 4, 1984 by The Journal would give more selections now with the worldwide students we have and hopefully a better mascot to represent our university. (Continued…)
Phil
posted 10/14/07 @ 8:27 AM CST
This is such utter crap. The Gorlok is the absolute definition of Webster University, and has become synonymous with basically everything we do. Jumping ship and choosing some other canned mascot would just make us look like a bunch of flakes, and our athletic reputation would certainly not improve - at least not for several years. (Continued…)
Jaime
posted 10/15/07 @ 5:11 PM CST
Well said Phil.
I am a recent Alumni and although I've often wondered just where the heck the mascot came from, I wouldn't change it. I think you said it best when you said, "I picked this fine school because of it's uniqueness and the way it stood out in the crowd. (Continued…)
Thomas ALfred Parr
posted 10/15/07 @ 11:53 PM CST
You sick sons of-- how dare you. I knew I shouldn't have left. My position on this matter is well documented and also incredibly correct. That beast is inside me and I in he/her. (Continued…)
Extra P.
posted 10/26/07 @ 11:39 AM CST
Um, Phil. Speaking as an outsider, I have to say that your national reputation would not suffer one jot from dumping the Gorlok. Perhaps there would be backlash within your conference or immediate area, but in general, I think everyone would just heave a sigh of relief and move on. (Continued…)
David Kassel
posted 10/26/07 @ 12:32 PM CST
I was an athlete at Webster University who recently graduated and I still can't tell you what the Gorlok is. I can tell you we got ridiculed a lot for it which kind of made it fun to play on the road. (Continued…)
Patrick
posted 11/01/07 @ 7:35 AM CST
As an Alum, I can not believe that someone would want to change the tradition and honor of the Gorlok, it does represent the combination of what it takes to survive and be successful as we move through our own personal lives. (Continued…)
Staci
posted 11/01/07 @ 3:39 PM CST
I am proud of the Gorlock and I think that everyone else should be proud too. If other schools ridicule us for our mascot we shouldn't even pay attention. (Continued…)
I hate Lanz
posted 11/02/07 @ 1:49 AM CST
Dear Chairman Banes,
This is just another in the sorrowful series of defeatist liberal claptrap you call a newspaper column. Good luck getting a job in the real world with this drivel. (Continued…)
liz
posted 11/02/07 @ 7:37 PM CST
Just so you know Lanz didn't write the editorial. So get over yourself. It was written by the sports editor John Baird. If you have an issue take it up with him. (Continued…)
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