Pacific Index

Issue date: 2/15/08 Section: Opinion

Don't do it!

Boxer, as a symbol of our school, balances on the brink. His presence on campus this year has been peripheral: a flash during the freshman class' opening ceremonies, a website promising 'Boxer Awareness' through his national promotion, pictures of Boxer across America. A mascot this absent has diminished student interest, despite the best intentions of Gamma Sigma alumnus Dean Croshere, whose master plan for Boxer has left us waiting for the reappearance of our mythic bronze hero since September.

It is no coincidence that the periods in our school's history in which student pride has dwindled most coincide with the years in which Boxer was absent longest. It is therefore no surprise that many on campus are apathetic. Despite being 'for all students,' most have been denied a sense of personal ownership of Boxer, undercutting his significance as a symbol.

Dean released flyers promising the return of the bronze beast through a campus-wide trivia contest. A trivia contest is a paltry substitute for the traditions surrounding Boxer. Before the school had to concern itself with liability issues surrounding so physical a contest, Boxer was passed between groups through the legendary Boxer Toss. This tradition had its flaws; in some periods the passing of Boxer was incredibly misogynistic, because brawn was the requirement for victory.

As imperfect a tradition as the Boxer Toss was, recent attempts to pass Boxer on through trivia contests are far worse, representing the complete institutionalization of our traditions, proof that students can't do anything fun around here anymore. We aren't asking Dean to come up with a new vehicle to bring Boxer back. Establishing an appropriate system for Boxer's passage is a matter for current students, not an alumnus, to deliberate upon. We merely ask that Dean make this contest fairer for everyone.

Too little has been published about the contest, though flyers assure it will occur "before Spring Break 2008." The implementation of this contest is a daunting task. The longer Dean waits to publicize the contest's specifics, the less likely all students will be able to participate.

Furthermore, the format of the contest leaves much to be desired: three rounds 'General Knowledge,' one of 'School History,' and one of 'Boxer History.' Why does only a fifth of a contest for Boxer's ownership concern his personal history?

This issue transcends the arbitrary divisions of extracurricular interests. More than anything we hope this letter will open a dialogue between Dean and those of us on campus that want to see Boxer home.



--Tyler Atwood

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