The Bulldogs of Butler weren’t nervous Sunday evening about whether they would make another tournament because they had already won the Horizon League tournament, again. They were however wondering how high of seed the selection committee felt they deserved.
Well it was revealed yesterday that last year’s runners-up would be the eighth seed in the Southeast region against No. 9 Old Dominion. Monday it was announced that the Bulldogs real mascot, Blue II, would not be allowed in the Verizon Center by the NCAA. Georgetown is the regional host and has petitioned with Butler to allow the famous mascot.
And why the heck not. If Blue II is good enough to be the face of the team last year and go to Lucas Oil Stadium for the Final Four, why not now? A private donor even flew the mascot to New York for Butler’s meeting with Duke at the beginning of the season.
Hink, the life-size Bulldog will make the trip and Butler fans are not giving up on Blue II.
Last year, owner Michael Kaltenmark created a twitter account for Blue II, posting pictures of him in the office and while at games. The starters always rub the Bulldog before the game as good luck and Kaltenmark walks him around during the game so fans can pet him.
Here are a few tweets from Butler Blue II’s twitter account on Monday about the situation.
For the record, it is not Verizon’s fault. I think the Verizon Center would let me in the game. It was the NCAA that made the call. Whatev.
I certainly appreciate Butler Athletics & Georgetown Athletics staff working to try and get me in the Verizon Center. Too bad NCAA said no.
I appreciate all of the support to get me to DC. I’m kind of a big deal, I guess. Just be civil toward the NCAA, please – The Butler Way.
Now Butler and Blue II fans are using social media to protest the NCAA’s stance by using the twitter hashtag #FreeButlerBlue2. One fan even called for President Obama, who obviously has some pull in D.C. to make a call.
The three biggest fans of Butler, Hink, Ron the Robot and Blue II got together before the tournament to make this special video. Check it out.
And here is Blue II and owner Michael Kaltenmark’s appearance Wednesday on ESPN First Take.
[…] The fans are upset too. I say we petition the Verizon Center and the NCAA. It’s within our First Amendment Rights! Let’s get him in the game. YOU’RE MY BOY BLUE! […]
Shame on the NCAA!!! Whatever happened to good, clean, old-fashioned fun? They’re just afraid someone will sue them, claiming that the dog attacked them or gave them a disease. In this highly sophisticated world, it’s heartwarming to see something like a mascot still be so important a symbol to America’s youth, and it should be encouraged, not discouraged.