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Mask-to-Mask Attitude and some syrup go a long way for Stanford Tree
In this space each week CNNSI.com will feature an exclusive one-on-one interview with some of college football's most famous mascots. Purdue Pete, the legendary mascot from Purdue University, recently chatted with the Stanford Tree for this hard-hitting, mask-to-bark interview. Purdue Pete: Welcome, Stanford Tree. It's a pleasure to have the first mascot from the Pac-10 here on CNNSI.com. Stanford Tree: Thanks for having me. But I have to say right off the bat, I'm a little different than most mascots out there. Purdue Pete: Well you certainly look different. You're the only mascot we've had that is not a person, animal or insect. But why do you say you're different? Stanford Tree: I'm not associated with the University per se. So I can't say I am the Stanford University mascot. I am simply the mascot of the Stanford band. That's because after the politically correct powers that were in the early '70s decided we could no longer be the Stanford Indians, they changed it to the Stanford Cardinal. Not the religious official or the bird, but rather the color. So the band, which had thrown off its shackles of marching-band lameness in the early '60s, decided it was going to try out some new mascots. One of them was The Tree because of the tree on the university seal. So because I am the mascot for the band, there really are no rules. So I don't have to answer to the University, which is nice because I don't have to do all that typical lame mascot stuff. The only real rules are to make up the rules as you go along and The Tree is what you say it is when you are The Tree. Purdue Pete: You're kind of a mascot renegade out on the field. Stanford Tree: I am the anti-mascot. That's how I like to look at it. I'm like old underwear, I'm creeping up on you. Purdue Pete: Thank you for that very vivid picture. What kind of rules do you break? Stanford Tree: Well I'm able to talk, first of all. I can talk to people as The Tree. I can take the tree outfit off in front of people. I'm just a guy in a tree suit. It's that simple. I'm not trying to insult the intelligence of our fans by pretending I'm anything else. Purdue Pete: I read an article on you from your school paper. It says that your job requires a lot of nudity, can you explain that? Stanford Tree: Our tryouts don't require us to do any calisthenics, jumping around or skit stuff. We engage in a sequence of wild and often bizarre stunts in the middle of campus, often at noon. Sometimes there is some nudity. I for one coated myself in 25 gallons of maple syrup and danced around to AC/DC's "Back in Black" because it was my second year trying out for Tree. Other trees have used nudity in their tryouts. Trees are often very comfortable with their bodies. It's a natural thing and a tree is part of nature. Purdue Pete: But why maple syrup? Are you a maple tree? What's the story? Stanford Tree: I just like the taste of maple syrup. That's why I chose it. Purdue Pete: So it could have been chocolate syrup, for example. Stanford Tree: Certainly. I probably should have gone with chocolate syrup because maple syrup blinds you after a while. Purdue Pete: So you couldn't see anything? Stanford Tree: After a while I couldn't. I was on the second guitar solo when I saw nothing. But it was funny because as that happened I realized it is only the blind that can truly see. Then I could see this arboreal vision that I was to become the tree. It was very enlightening. Purdue Pete: Sticky situation, but it seems everything worked out for you. Now I understand The Tree has had some problems over the years. Last year didn't some Cal students capture The Tree? Stanford Tree: It was a theft of dastardly proportions. A real horrible, horrible crime. Fortunately when The Tree was recovered in a stealth-like raid on a Cal fraternity house, we purified the tree. We had to do this because it had been made dirty in the stinking lair of Oski [the Cal bear mascot]. They ran it through a chipper shredder at halftime of the USC game. It was a very purifying, wholesome moment. Purdue Pete: Then there was a new tree to take its place? Stanford Tree: That's right. Purdue Pete: I also remember that the Stanford Tree was banned for life from one of our rival sports Web sites after Stanford students stuffed the ballot box so The Tree could win the battle of the mascots survey. Has anything new come out of that decision? Stanford Tree: I have been lobbying them as of late to let me back into the pool. I feel we should forgive old crimes. Plus, The Tree himself was not involved in that situation directly. I believe new roots need to planted in the soil of forgiveness. They haven't gotten back to me, so I'm thinking I may have to crash the CNNSI.com mascot competition. That's where the real varsity is at. Purdue Pete: We appreciate your vote of confidence. To change the subject just a bit, I noticed in your photos that you are a palm tree. This is different from most trees in the past and different form the tree seen on the Stanford seal as we discussed earlier. Why the change? Stanford Tree: It is a little controversial. A little bit radical. But the rule is if you try out for Tree twice, and win, you have to become a palm tree. It has some interesting features. For one thing, it has a nose ring. It's a new model. Some alumni will be upset, I'm sure. Maybe frighten some children. Any idea that doesn't threaten something isn't worth its salt, as Carl Sagan once said. Purdue Pete: Now, trees in general aren't known for their superior fighting ability. Do you battle other mascots or do you just do that famous twirling dance? Stanford Tree: I like to mix it up. Fighting isn't necessary. Other mascots and I tend to not get along. In general other mascots, I think, are rather dopey. So with notable exceptions, there are a lot of lame things that mascots have to do. It's weird, being the mascot at Stanford defines who I am, but I also think that mascots are generally pretty dorky. Some may say that I am biting the hand that feeds me. Purdue Pete: We used you as an example in our preview article for this series. We said we would find out questions like, "What does the Stanford Tree really think of the Cal Bear." Well, what is your relationship with Oski? Stanford Tree: He really doesn't do that much. I haven't met up with him yet. I'm looking forward to the time when we meet. I'd like to see what he's all about. In fact, I'd like to send a message to him, if that's all right. Purdue Pete: Please, go ahead. Stanford Tree: Oski, if you're out there. I'm not some joke. So just remember the name. It is mighty, mighty T-R-E-E. If you want to step up and pop it and get your cranium cracked, step on up. I'm ready for you. Purdue Pete: Sounds like you set the tone for your relationship with him. Stanford Tree: I'd say so. I just want to see what kind of bear he is. I want to see what he's got. Purdue Pete: It seems like the Cal students are an even bigger threat. They have attacked the Stanford Tree over and over again. How do you react to that? Stanford Tree: I have already got some threatening e-mails from some Cal guys. I'm like, 'Bring it on.' I'm ready. I gave them my address and I'm still waiting to hear from them. Plus there is this group called the TPG, that's Tree Protection Gangsters, that have made it their duty to protect The Tree. I should be OK. Purdue Pete: Sounds like things can get very heated between schools in the Pac-10. Good Luck with that and thanks for talking with us. Stanford Tree: It's been my pleasure, Pete. Good luck to you, as well. |
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