Why Was the Stanford University Tree Mascot Suspended for Public Drunkenness?

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In summary: Stanford to Stanford University. A group of students decided to rebel and create a mascot, and the Tree was born. "The Tree is the anti-mascot mascot," said Matt Merrill, this year's edition of one of the most original, rebellious and flamboyant mascots in the country. "The thing is, the main reason people like the Tree is because he makes fun of other mascots."The Tree is known for his outrageous costumes (he's worn everything from a pirate costume to a gorilla suit), and his shtick is to heckle opposing mascots during games. He's also popular with the student body, and is often seen at events such as pep rallies and basketball games.
  • #1
Math Is Hard
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To me, this is the funniest news story of the year...

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/02/16/MNGUNH9P9A6.DTL
(02-16) 14:59 PST STANFORD UNIVERSITY -- The Stanford University tree has been toppled for being drunk on the job.

The student wearing the costume of the legendary mascot was suspended from duty after UC Berkeley police observed her drinking from a flask during a Stanford-Cal basketball game last week, officials said today.

"She was taking drinks inside the tree,'' said Kevin Klintworth, assistant athletic director at Cal. "The officers could see the flask through the costume.''

Erin Lashnits, 23, a fifth-year undergraduate biology student, was given a breath test shortly after halftime of the Feb. 9 game at Haas Pavilion. Authorities said the test showed she had a blood alcohol level of 0.15 percent, nearly twice the legal limit for driving. She was cited for public drunkenness and told to leave the court but was allowed to watch the rest of the game from the grandstand.
http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/DB/issues/97/10.31/images/mascot.Stanford.jpg
 
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  • #2
I have never seen that thing before, and now I regret it...
 
  • #3
yomamma said:
I have never seen that thing before, and now I regret it...
I know. And it's the freakin' Stanford mascot. Stanford!
 
  • #4
*Get's flamethower
Ok tree's we don't need you anymore! We can't allow you or those tree hugers drink that much.
 
  • #5
scott1 said:
*Get's flamethower
Ok tree's we don't need you anymore! We can't allow you or those tree hugers drink that much.
You might have a flamethrower, but that tree's got a mouthful of alcohol !
 
  • #6
:rofl: Ohh, those female biology majors!

*waits for similar story from MB* :smile:
 
  • #7
mattmns said:
:rofl: Ohh, those female biology majors!

*waits for similar story from MB* :smile:
Thread is locked...
 
  • #8
Berkely must have been winning. That'd drive any tree to drink.
 
  • #9
They actually make fun of this incident all the time on the Adam Carolla morning show in L.A. The guy who plays "Drunk Girl" on SNL comes in and plays Drunk Tree Mascot Girl on the morning show. It's hilarious.
 
  • #10
"The officers could see the flask through the costume.''

nerd...stupid forum limits
 
  • #11
If you had to dress up as a tree, you'd probably want to get drunk too. It's not even a good looking tree...that must be the cheesiest mascot I've ever seen! Did her mommy make her costume for her? :rofl: I guess that's why she's a FIFTH year biology student, because she doesn't have the intelligence to realize if she put the alcohol in her water bottle instead of in a flask, nobody would have given it a second look. :uhh:
 
  • #12
Moonbear said:
If you had to dress up as a tree, you'd probably want to get drunk too. It's not even a good looking tree...that must be the cheesiest mascot I've ever seen! Did her mommy make her costume for her? :rofl:
:biggrin:
It looks like there was at least one attempt at a make-over. Here's the glamour shot:
s_stanford_mascot_i.jpg
 
  • #13
Math Is Hard said:
:biggrin:
It looks like there was at least one attempt at a make-over. Here's the glamour shot:
s_stanford_mascot_i.jpg
:rofl: Even with the giant smile, that tree looks sad. Apparently those smart students at Stanford aren't very creative when it comes to finding a mascot...or maybe that is creative, but more that it misses the mark a bit. What's their team name? Does the opposing team bring lighters to the game? :biggrin:
 
  • #14
Hey that picture goes prefctly with moonbear's avatar.
 
  • #15
hahaha...it does :rofl:
 
  • #16
Moonbear said:
:rofl: Even with the giant smile, that tree looks sad. Apparently those smart students at Stanford aren't very creative when it comes to finding a mascot...or maybe that is creative, but more that it misses the mark a bit. What's their team name? Does the opposing team bring lighters to the game? :biggrin:
I think the team name is the Cardinals. Go figure. Was a tree outfit easier to make than a bird suit?:confused:
 
  • #17
scott1 said:
Hey that picture goes prefctly with moonbear's avatar.
heh heh heh! She's aiming right at the tree!:rofl:
 
  • #18
Math Is Hard said:
I think the team name is the Cardinals. Go figure. Was a tree outfit easier to make than a bird suit?:confused:
:rofl: That's even worse, that the mascot doesn't even match the team name. :rofl: A cardinal would be much better. At least it would have wings it could flap and do stuff.
 
  • #19
now MB's avatar is hitting :rofl:
 
  • #20
scott1 said:
Hey that picture goes prefctly with moonbear's avatar.
:rofl: You're right! :rofl:
 
  • #21
The story of the tree, from a 1997 Daily Bruin article. Apparently it has it's roots as a rebellion against traditional mascots:
http://www.dailybruin.ucla.edu/db/issues/97/10.31/sports.tree.html
"The Tree is the anti-mascot mascot," said Matt Merrill, this year's edition of one of the most original, rebellious and flamboyant mascots in the country. "The thing is, the main reason people like the Tree is because he makes fun of other mascots."

The legend of the Stanford Tree had an inauspicious start 20 years ago when the school decided to change its name from the politically incorrect 'Indians.'

Left up to the student body, the name, "Robber Barons," was chosen to poke fun at the way the school's founder Leland Stanford earned all his money. The school's administration didn't find this the least bit humorous and the chancellor changed the name to the school color - Cardinal.

None too happy with the name change, Stanford's marching band took it upon themselves to create their own mascot, and the Tree was born.

Tree mascots, it seems, have not just a history of drunkeness, but of violence:
After last year's Big Game victory over California, the Tree was ripped apart, literally, leaf-by-leaf by Cal students. Then, during basketball season, he and Cal's mascot, Oski, got in an all-out brawl that was even given a blow-by-blow account on ESPN's SportsCenter. Pac-10 mascots have since been banned from traveling to road basketball games.
 
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  • #22
:rofl: I love the "Robber Barons" idea! :rofl: That would have made a fantastic mascot too! :rofl: At least now I know why the students ditched the cardinal as their mascot.
 
  • #23
Well, I'm a Stanford grad student, and my co-workers have given me more than a bit of flak for this. :rofl:

The Stanford "mascot" is cardinal. From stanford.edu: Not the bird, nor the religious figure, the color. And DO NOT say "Cardinals." Seriously.

I know, I know. It makes no sense. And since when has a bear lost a fight against... a tree?

- Warren
 
  • #24
As for making fun of mascots, I remember back around 1977 or 1978 when the MOB (Marching Owl Band from Rice University) mad fun of the canine mascot of Texas A&M. Well the A&M student body didn't particularly care much for that, and a large contigent of A&M's student body, the ROTC Corp members, left the stands and went after the Rice Band, who ran like ****. The Corp members then waited outside the stadium, so the Rice Band members needed to leave on buses with a police escort. :rolleyes:

There were quite a few drunk Aggies roaming Rice campus looking for a fight. :rolleyes:
 
  • #25
chroot said:
The Stanford "mascot" is cardinal. From stanford.edu: Not the bird, nor the religious figure, the color. And DO NOT say "Cardinals." Seriously.
:rofl: It just keeps getting better and better! :rofl: A color for a mascot...priceless. :rofl:
 
  • #26
Moonbear said:
:rofl: It just keeps getting better and better! :rofl: A color for a mascot...priceless. :rofl:

But our chess club can beat up your chess club. :biggrin:

- Warren
 
  • #27
chroot said:
But our chess club can beat up your chess club. :biggrin:

- Warren
<snark!> :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

OK, I guess I can kiiinda understand The Cardinal. In Alabama we have the U of A Crimson Tide, and their mascot is an elephant.
 
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1. What happens to a tree when it drinks too much water?

When a tree drinks an excessive amount of water, it can lead to a condition called overhydration or waterlogging. This means that the tree's roots are saturated with water, which can cause damage to the root cells and hinder the tree's ability to absorb essential nutrients and oxygen.

2. How can you tell if a tree has had too much water?

Some signs of overhydration in trees include yellowing or wilting leaves, stunted growth, and root rot. You may also notice an increase in pests and diseases, as the tree's weakened state makes it more vulnerable to these issues.

3. Can overhydration kill a tree?

Yes, overhydration can be fatal for a tree if it is not addressed promptly. The excess water can suffocate the roots and prevent them from absorbing nutrients and oxygen, leading to the tree's death.

4. How can you prevent a tree from drinking too much water?

The best way to prevent a tree from overhydrating is to ensure proper drainage in the soil. This can be done by avoiding over-watering, using well-draining soil, and providing adequate spacing between trees. Regularly checking the soil moisture level and adjusting watering accordingly can also help prevent overhydration.

5. Can trees recover from overhydration?

In some cases, trees can recover from overhydration if the issue is addressed early on. By improving drainage and reducing water intake, the tree's roots may be able to recover and resume their normal functions. However, severe cases of overhydration may be irreversible and can lead to the tree's decline and eventual death.

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