Yeah, it’s an opponent but it’s a fun story
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The only thing I hate about this is another MAC program did it before Miami. Fun story. Fall camp is rough - anything that keeps things loose is a win in my book.
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I’ve always thought it would be cool if they introduced a red tailed hawk as a live mascot and have it fly around the football stadium before games a la Auburn’s eagle.
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Hueston Woods has a raptor rehabilitation center. Surely they have a red-tailed hawk who is looking for a side hustle while in recovery.
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It looks like they have several red-tailed hawks as permanent residents. Now we just need to find a Miami alum who works there!
I, in no way, wish to demean, or defeather the hawk population, but there would have to be rules in place if we obtained for temporary use a bird from a recovery center. Perhaps it would be better to walk down the field as opposed to fly. The bird must not obstruct the vision of any spectator. The path of the bird must be strictly adhered to so as not to anger an usher. The bird must be willing to show his/her ticket at anytime and realize they could not get back into the stadium if it left the friendly confines. The bird must sign a statement that its feathers have nothing to do with any previous mascot. Any refreshments the bird is served must be accompanied by a carbonated beverage. It must clean up its own mess unless deposited on the visiting team. I am certain my list is incomplete, feel free to add before the contract is finalized.
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Having a trained bird fly around the stadium is likely a non-starter. Having a Red Tailed Hawk in a small enclosure on game days sounds like an inexpensive and instructive partnership between Miami’s Zoology Dept. And Hueston Woods. Heck, it is something I would donate to.
I would add that the hawk should probably file a flight plan with the FAA.
Would said hawk be eligible for NIL funding? I hear the Auburn War Eagle gets $1.5 million. If we can’t come up with that kind of scratch, or whatever the live mouse equivalent might be, we should be prepared for our hawk to jump into the portal after a season or two.
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That’s why a think a contract is necessary. We do not want to be in a position where we train and develop the bird and he flies off to pastures with more and fatter mice.
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We can’t lose the hawk to Iowa. ‘Cause then Ricky Stanzi’s dad will be back, and I’ve had enough of him for one lifetime.
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Clearly we need noncompetes for raptors
MEET PREHISTORIC SWOOP! USING GENE SPLICING TECHNOLOGY WE CAN HAVE HIM ROAMING THE STADIUM BY NEXT YEAR!
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I’m in for that. Where do I donate.
A long time ago Bowling Green used to have a Falcon who would whip around the stadium and return its handler’s arm which was covered with leather to protect him from the grip of the claws. Now they have Pudge instead.
I’m good with making this the actual Miami mascot. At least these creatures actually existed.
USAFA has live falcons with cadet handlers and they do demos at games and on the campus.
And pudge the cat shits in a litter box if lucky.
Pudge on GameDay. So good.
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