For cold-blooded creatures, every winter is a winter of discontent. But for S.F. State's Gator, these are especially bitter times.
Last month, SF State President Les Wong dropped a reptilian bomb, stating he was "90 percent sure" the school would eliminate its 85-year-old mascot.
Wong now tells SF Weekly the Gator's days may not be done after all. The problem, he says, is that while "there wasn't a whimper of complaint" about the mascot, "people didn't get it."
Well, okay: It's derived from "Golden Gater," referencing a bridge of some renown. Wong retorts that would-be students ask why it's spelled "Gator."
Well, because "Gaters" confused people.
But an image of a Gator and a bridge — that would elucidate everything. "We could actually keep the Gator ... and tie it into the bridge better," says Wong. "I could live with that."
A reptilian reprieve, however, would require a cull. State has, per Wong, "about four different Gator images." Internet photos depict Wong sandwiched between two different googly-eyed pantomime gators (one purple, one green).
Gators move quickly but dumping one is a slow process. Myriad boards and commissions and designers must be consulted. Wong can't foresee any changes for at least two years.
Perhaps then he'll alter his Twitter handle: @GatorPres.
