Older article, but stumbled across this today about Big Blue: what he means, who he is, how he moves, etc. Pretty sweet. I knew Mark in school..what a great mascot he was!
http://hamptonroads.com/2012/02/odu-masc...shoes-fill
Quote:There are three kinds of kids Blue deals with:
-Those who love Blue.
-Those who hate Blue. They will pull on his tail. They will take swings at him.
-Those who are terrified of Blue. "It's like a dog," Hering says. Keep your space. "Let them come to you."
Quote:One of Blue's signature moves is the belly shake. He grabs his stomach and smimmies it as he moves from left to right. It is hypnotic. "Everybody loves a fat dude dancing," Hering said.
![[Image: morenews2-lg.jpg]](http://www.odu.edu/ao/ia/insideodu/20101209/morenews2-lg.jpg)
THE BELLY SHAKE IS THE BEST.
HOW MUCH DO YOU LOVE THE BELLY SHAKE?
Whoever the mascot was circa 2003-04 used to really get under my skin. She (I know it was a she because they honored her at the athletic banquet one year) would always come over to WODU's booth and screw with us. I mean, we're in the middle of broadcasting one of the bigger games of the year and a smelly paw comes in and starts hitting buttons on my computer. Let's just say as much as I love the idea of Big Blue, that particular person was a real pain in the ass.
After I lit into the mascot and the sports information office and gameday operations about her, she would then walk behind our broadcast perch with hands out and up, as if to say "see, I'm not doing anything."
There was a guy who was also Riptide back when I was a freshman who was cool as all hell, but I think he actually moved on to bigger and better Mascot things.
I loved when big blue use to mock the opposing coach when he was angry.
Me and my brother have always said that big blue should put on a grim reaper costume and stand behind the opposing beach if we are killing a team... It would be really funny and might even make sportscenter.
I liked the body surf Blue use to do with the cheerleaders. When we use to have cheerleaders.
I remember Big Blue streaking across center court with no "clothes" on. Hilarious.
I also used to love when he had the whiteboard, and would write things like "STAND UP PEOPLE" and "GET HYPE".