| While Chicago�s intellectual preparation has proved important in my later life, qualities fostered by athletics have also been quite helpful. One needs stamina and the ability to persist physically. One also needs knowledge of which athletic activities are compatible with one�s personality and physiology.
U of C athletics provided the best possible counterbalance for heavy reading and the ups and downs of life as an undergraduate. I�d entered Chicago as a rather dismal physical specimen and somewhat underweight. By graduation, I was at my proper weight and in much better physical shape. I was also in a better frame of mind mentally and better prepared for post-graduate life. home page |
| When I was there Chicago didn't have an athletics animal mascot. In 2005, I presumed to note that lack on this very page, and presented the energetic icon that is still here. At the time I imagined the icon might have more than a passing resemblance to Mr. Larry Arbeiter, Director of Communications at Chicago. My thought then was that Larry could appear at games without costume, thus saving money for the university. But, in late 2006, the University of Chicago Magazine published a photo of the actual current mascot. According to what was stated in that story, the mascot in the photo was a phoenix. That would have been very suitable. However it looked to me more like a parrot. Possible explanation: the costume company, for reasons of economy, was using the same design for Chicago as for various universities scattered accross Latin America. If that is the explanation, Chicago alumni (who, of necessity, receive frequent donation requests) will surely be encouraged to observe this welcome sign of thrift and careful spending. |
| A Chicago Mascot? |