Chapter 1: The Mascot Dilemma

It recently struck me that the University of Michigan does not feature a sideline mascot during its sports events. In today's climate of widespread media engagement and the prevalence of college mascots, this oversight seems significant. How can Michigan hold its own when competing against schools like Penn State, with their Nittany Lion, or Oregon, known for its iconic Duck mascot?

Understanding that Michigan's mascot, the Wolverine, may not lend itself well to a sideline presence—possibly due to its resemblance to rival Wisconsin's Bucky Badger—I still believe there is room for creativity. Thus, I turned to AI to conjure a suitable sideline mascot for the University of Michigan. Enter "Big Blue," a fresh take for Michigan athletics.

These are precisely the kinds of challenges AI was designed to tackle, right?

Chapter 2: Introducing Big Blue

Today's trend favors mascots that take on whimsical and blob-like forms. Characters such as Gritty and the Phillie Phanatic have made waves in Philadelphia over the years. Michigan doesn't need another grim animal mascot; instead, they deserve an endearing blob of their own. Meet Big Blue, the newest addition to the University of Michigan's spirit.

This character is simply adorable! It's charming, it’s a blob, and it’s blue. Just imagine Big Blue dancing on the sidelines or doing push-ups after a touchdown; that vision is hard to resist. If you find it too cartoonish, fret not—there’s a grittier variation available.

While this version bears a closer resemblance to Gritty, the core idea remains intact. A large, furry creature cheering on Michigan football is precisely what we need as we move into 2023 and beyond. Just picture the merchandising opportunities: Big Blue plush toys, t-shirts, and autographed posters—there's no limit to what could be created.

Despite the fear that AI might threaten our jobs or even our safety in the future, we should leverage its capabilities for fun and creativity, such as designing new mascots.

Overall, I believe AI has done a remarkable job. I just wish Big Blue could come to life sooner.

Chapter 3: The Absence of a Mascot

So why is it that the University of Michigan lacks a mascot? The reason is straightforward: they simply don't want one. How unexciting is that?

Michigan has gone without a sideline mascot for many years. There was one in the 1980s, but it failed to gain popularity. Once that mascot was retired, the university refrained from creating a new one, and not having a mascot became a sort of tradition. Although it may seem counterintuitive, the fear of creating something as bizarre as the Stanford tree—a mascot that some find quite unsettling—has contributed to this situation.

In a 2007 statement, Bruce Madej from the University of Michigan Athletic Department remarked to the Michigan Daily that there is no desire within the athletic department, from either administrators or student-athletes, for a mascot. He asserted that the absence of one has been deemed appropriate, as it wouldn't accurately reflect the spirit and values of Michigan athletics.

The unfortunate reality is that Michigan simply does not want a mascot. However, I believe that once the student body gets a glimpse of Big Blue, the desire for a mascot will surely grow.

If anyone has ties to the University of Michigan, please share my idea; I’m eager to see Big Blue become a reality and merchandise fill the campus shops!