6 QUESTIONS FOR A RATHER LARGE SCROTUM.

A while back I wrote about what I thought was the weirdest mascot – Scottsdale Community’s Fighting Artichokes. Turns out, I was wrong. Rhode Island School of Design pulls a wee bit ahead with their own lovable, quirky character. An individual that’s always ready to raise school spirits against the stiff competition – Scrotie.

Why Scrotie?

It all started in the 1950s when the basketball team called itself the Nads. The hockey team also adopted the same name in the ‘70s. In 2000 the basketball named changed to the Balls. Still going with the same obvious theme. We figured Scrotie was a natural compliment that worked for both teams.

When was Scrotie introduced?

The 2001 – 2002 season.

 

How does the faculty feel about Scrotie?

They grin and bear it, since it’s an “unofficial” mascot”. The students however, totally love Scrotie.

What are some of the team cheers Scrotie shouts during the games?

The top two are “Go Nads!” and “When the heat is on, balls stick together!”

 

So are you only dressed as a giant penis?

Please, we have a bit more decorum than that. I also wear a red cape.

 

Do you get to hang with the cheerleaders?

Of course. That’s part of the mascot code. Oh FYI, they’re unofficially named the Jockstraps. No joke.  

DON’T MESS WITH THE FIGHTING ARTICHOKES!

Ohio St. has the Buckeyes. Michigan has the Wolverines. Scottsdale Community College? Well, they have the Fighting Artichokes. Yep. Not much of a beast that strikes fear in the hearts of the competition. In fact, it could be the worst name in college sports history (aside from Santa Cruz’s Banana Slugs.) That’s mainly because Artie the Artichoke (the mascot’s name) was born out of a battle between students and faculty. [Took me a while to find this answer. Actually had to google for it – Wiki had nothing.] The time was 1970, Scottsdale Community was just ten years of age. College heads were working with the student government to figure out the budget. To make a long story short, the students wanted the money to go to needed things like housing and local scholarships. While the faculty want to use it as bribe money to lure out-of-state athletes to their new team. In the end, the faculty overruled the students. As a result, the outraged student senate protested by offering up three "not-so-sporty-tough" team names for vote – Artichoke, the Rutabaga, or the Scoundrels. To avoid further confrontation, the administration let the winning name stand. Though the heads managed to have the last laugh. For the last handful of decades the Artichoke t-shirts have managed to bring in a decent chunck of change. Go Artie!