Mascot Misinformation

Contrary to an article published by our colleagues at the Hatchet last Thursday, the unofficial hippo mascot that we have all come to love is not being removed by the university.

The article was published basted on statements by John Och, GW's licensing coordinator and Elio Distaola, a spokesman for Follett, the company that manages the bookstore.  The news caused great concern among the student body, many of whom have come to appreciated the hippo as much as our team of official mascots - George and Big George.

According to Helen Saulny, the assistant vice president for student and academic Support Services, the issue was a misinterpretation regarding the placement of the hippo design on various styles of merchandise during discussions last fall between the university and the bookstore.  The discussions allowed for an opportunity to clarify how the hippo design, which is not registered as an official mascot of GW, will be used.

The misunderstanding arose from legal concerns about the protection of the hippo mascot and a directive to limit orders of hippo merchandise until an official decision was made.  This was misinterpreted as a decision to phase out the hippo entirely.

The original bronze hippo at H & 21st Streets was a gift from former university President Stephen Joel Trachtenberg to the class of 2000.  Legend has it that the Potomac was once a home for hippos during Washington's time.

Hippo merchandise is still available in the bookstore and we will continue to see the beloved mascot at spirit events.  Since the time of the original article, the Hatchet published a correction to the original article, helping to quell the campus wide hippo scare.

-Monika Wysocki