 |
| |
|
 |
 |
|
|
Mask-to-Mask Sparty more than muscle in East Lansing
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 athletic mascot from Purdue University, recently chatted with Sparty from Michigan State for this hard-hitting, mask-to-mask interview. Purdue Pete: Hello Sparty. It's good to have a Big Ten mascot back on cnnsi.com. Sparty: Thanks for having, Pete. It is probably better we talk now before we battle each other at your place next week. Purdue Pete: You're probably right. We'll talk about that game a little later. I wanted to share this story with you. I was working out at the Gym the other day and I picked up a copy of Muscle and Fitness magazine. They had this article on mascots. Well, I was happy we were getting some pub. I was even happier to learn that I am the second-most buff mascot in all of the mascot world. So I wondered who was beating me out for No. 1 spot. So I flipped the page only to find out it was you! Sparty: Yes, that's true. I am No. 1. Purdue Pete: Well, I have to admit I was a little shocked. Here I am, voted the second-buffest overall, but I'm not even winning the title in my own conference! I guess that says a lot for the Big Ten. So how do you do it? Are you on some rigorous program? Sparty: Actually I spend a lot of time on my academics. But when I'm not studying for a test, I spend a lot of time at the gym. Purdue Pete: So do you compete in those bodybuilding competitions they show on late-night TV? Sparty: No, it's more of a hobby for me. I feel if I took part in those competitions, I'd be coming in first all the time. I'm trying to share the wealth. Purdue Pete: So you're not putting on that fake-tan oil or shaving your body hair like some of these other competitors? Sparty: No, Sparty is all natural. Purdue Pete: Wasn't Bucky the Badger from Wisconsin in the article? Sparty: Yes. He was listed under the category of "Where's the beef." I can't wait to head up to Madison later in the season and joke with him about that. Purdue Pete: So I guess that means that after you guys get past Michigan this weekend and travel to Purdue on October 16, it will be the battle between the top two mascots when you face the current Purdue Pete on the field. This may give Purdue Pete some leverage to get the No. 1 spot. Sparty: Well, you know, the current Purdue Pete is always welcomed to try. But when I grab his head and he's swinging but can't hit me, I hope his crowd is not too disappointed in him. Purdue Pete: It's Purdue's homecoming, so you'll have it tough up there in Ross-Ade Stadium. I'll be in the stands cheering against you. Sparty: I expect that. But I'm not worried. I've been working out. Plus Purdue Pete has some scrawny legs. Purdue Pete: Hey, now. This is getting a little heated. We should just wait until the 16th. Let's talk about the big game you have this weekend. You host your in-state rival Michigan. It just doesn't get bigger than this, does it? Sparty: This game is huge. We both haven't been undefeated going into this game since 1961. I'm fired up for it. Purdue Pete: Campus must be buzzing. What's the atmosphere like in East Lansing?
Sparty: Everyone is really excited. We have some of our students guarding the statue of The Spartan we have on campus. They have been there all week, guarding 24 hours a day. They started right after the Iowa game last Saturday. Traditionally, we've had Michigan students try to deface the statue. Those students are there to make sure that doesn't happen. Purdue Pete: Who are the students who guard the statue? Sparty: Students with a lot of spirit. A lot of them come from the Spartan Marching Band. We also have one person, Johnny Spirit, who has been there all week. Purdue Pete: This is such a big game for you. Since Michigan does not have a mascot, is it disappointing to have all this hype, yet not have mascot to go up against? Sparty: It is disappointing. It would add so much to the event to have a mascot battle. But we are more spirited than they are. It doesn't surprise me they still don't have a mascot. Purdue Pete: To change gears just a little bit. Basketball is just around the corner and there is a lot of talk that Michigan State may win the national title this year ... that is, of course, if Purdue doesn't win it. Is that a distraction as you head down the final half of the football season? Sparty: We're excited all around. We've been doing well with all our athletic teams -- hockey, basketball and football. In basketball, we made it to the Sweet 16 two years ago, the Final Four last year, so winning the national title is something we have an awesome shot at. Purdue Pete: Some of our readers have some questions for you. Sparty: OK, shoot. Purdue Pete: One of our readers, Lacy from Duhram, N.C. wants to know what exactly you have on under that skirt. -- It seems you have an admirer. The infamous boxers-or-briefs question. Sparty: (Laughs) ... Good question ... (pauses) ... Ah, just use your imagination. Purdue Pete: This question goes back to your buffdom. It's a serious question. An Army officer stationed in Europe thinks you look pretty ripped. He says there is a rumor going around in his part of the world that you are using steroids to form that physique. Is there any truth to that? Sparty: No. No truth at all. I have never used steroids in my life. I have been training since birth and I have really good genetics. There are always people trying to take you down when you're at the top. Purdue Pete: A couple of readers informed us that you recently celebrated a birthday. Is that true? Sparty: Yes, just last weekend I turned 10. Purdue Pete: Happy Birthday. Congratulations. You are in double digits now. Sparty: Thank you. The student alumni foundation was nice enough to build me a float with a big birthday cake on it that I used to wave to all of my fans at halftime of the Iowa game as they sang happy birthday to me. It was one of the most joyful days of my life. Purdue Pete: Well thanks for taking time to talk with us. Good luck this weekend. After Michigan beat us last weekend, I admit I'm looking forward to them taking a fall. Sparty: That's something we agree in. The week after will be another story. Purdue Pete: Be careful of the current Pete. He's ready for you. Sparty: Sure, I'm just so scared. He doesn't have a chance. Go Spartans. |
|
|||||||||
| |||||||||||
