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Mask-to-mask Marshall's Marco takes horns to other mascots
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 Marco from Marshall for this hard-hitting, mask-to-horns interview. Purdue Pete: Welcome, Marco. Once again CNNSI ventures into a new conference -- the MAC. It is good to have the king mascot of the MAC with us. Marco: It's good to be here. Purdue Pete: Where does the name Marco come from? Marco: It comes from when we used to be known as Marshall College. The "Mar" in Marshall and "co" from College are put together to form Marco. It is something we wanted to keep when we changed to a university. Purdue Pete: Did you ever have a real buffalo as the mascot. Marco: We did once. But the buffalo got hungry during a game and tried eating the grass. Well, we had artificial turf. So when the buffalo scraped his tongue on the turf he got upset and started charging the field. That didn't go over too well and was the end of that mascot. Purdue Pete: Well, that's what a bad case of turf tongue will do to you. Now, Marshall is having an outstanding year. You are ranked in the top 15, which is outstanding for a team that is only in its third year as a Div. IA team. You must be having a blast. Marco: It is a lot of fun. The team is doing great. I think a lot of people thought we would fold after Randy Moss left for the NFL. But I can honestly say that this is the best team we've had here in the past five years. Purdue Pete: That's a strong statement. It must have been very exciting moving up from Div. IAA to Div. IA. Do you notice any major changes from the mascot perspective? Are you traveling in limos and eating in five-star restaurants?Marco: No, nothing like that. Not much has changed. In fact, the rivalries and intensity around the game have actually decreased. Purdue Pete: Decreased. Really? How so? Marco: Well, the rivalries in the Southern Conference were just fierce. When we would play Appalachian State or VMI, it was like a war. Especially between the mascots. Purdue Pete: I had no idea it was that fierce. Can you give me an example? Marco: At VMI, all the freshmen sit together. They call themselves "The Rats." Well, one game I had this large doll that looked like one of our cheerleaders because after every time we score, our male cheerleaders do the "Thunder Press." It is a military press using the female cheerleaders by pushing them over their heads. Purdue Pete: So you would do the same thing using this doll? Marco: Right. Well, The Rats paid some little kid to run on the field and steal the doll. The Rats got a hold of it and ripped it to shreds, sticking various pieces on flag poles. It was very disturbing. It was scary to look at this huge angry mob, dressed in military garb, yelling at me with a mangled doll carcass dangling from their flag poles. Purdue Pete: I can only imagine. Nothing like that is happening now that you're in the MAC? Marco: No. But the rivalries are getting better. We haven't been in the conference that long. Actually, the Toledo rivalry, which will be on national TV on Thursday, is starting to get intense.
Purdue Pete: Isn't their mascot a rocket? We played them a few years ago and it was the giant blue rocket. Marco: It used to be. They just changed it. Now they have Rocket Man. Purdue Pete: Like from that Elton John song? Marco: (Laughs) ... Yeah. He looks likes a freakin' Power Ranger. Purdue Pete: Well, go go Power Rangers. Are you nervous to go up against this cosmic character on national television? Marco: No. I have never lost a mascot battle. I've been knocked down a few times, But I always end up on top. Purdue Pete: You haven't even lost on the road? Marco: Nope. Never. I've had mascots come to my place and say they didn't mind taking a dive in order to make me look good in front of my crowd. That's fine, but I'm not going to do that when I'm on the road. We have over 5,000 fans that travel to each game. I can't back down. But I never start anything. There is already enough violence for kids to see. The last thing they need is to see mascots going at it. But don't get me wrong. If I get attacked, I always have my patented move ready. Purdue Pete: What's your patented move? Marco: Most mascots turn their back on you after they attack. I have a rule to never to turn my back on the opposing mascot. But when they do -- and they always do -- I charge at them with my horns, in the typical bull fashion, like attacking a matador. I hit them in the backside and they are down for the count. Purdue Pete: It's a good thing I'm not wearing red (or crimson) or else this interview may not be very safe. We should send you to Indiana to take care of the Hoosiers. There is red all over the place. You'd have a field day. Marco: Sounds good. I'd be glad to help out. Purdue Pete: I understand that you are not out there just for the fans. The team really appreciates you. Marco: That's true, I have a great relationship with the football team. I have a routine where I change in the locker room and go though pregame warm ups with the team. Even during the game I'll walk over and congratulate a player or try to lift his spirits if he makes a mistake. Purdue Pete: Did you have a good relationship with Randy Moss? Marco: Randy is a great guy. A lot of people trash him because of his past, but for those of us that know him, he's one of the nicest guys. After each touchdown he would toss me the ball so I could strike the Heisman pose. He's gone on to do great things. Purdue Pete: Well good luck on Thursday. It should give you guys a chance to shine on national TV. Marco: We're excited. People will see that we are for real. Purdue Pete: Thanks for talking with us. It's been a pleasure. Marco: Thanks for having me. Go Herd! |
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