Pump the brakes buddy. No one from the U has said anything about changing the nickname...in fact, they've reiterated that "Braves" would be around for "the foreseeable future". SO...nothing has changed.
As for the gargoyle vs any other thing for a mascot argument...what would you pick? Birds, dogs, and cats are over done and tired. A rose...maybe a clock. Ooooh, nothing says intimidation or pride like a ticking clock. Maybe something Peoria related? We could have a giant yellow Caterpillar walk the sidelines...thoughts?
As far as I know, no one else has a gargoyle for a mascot. I like it and every student who has taken a class in Neumiller Lecture Hall has passed beneath Bradley's gargoyles. So, there is a connection...albeit a loose one. But its better than a bobcat, a lion, an eagle, a redhawk, a squirrel, a bulldog, a beagle, a clock, the thunder, lightning, a tornado, a tree, a forest, and (I'd be willing to wager) anything else you can come up with.
And, need I remind you that traditions have to start somewhere...why not here and why not now? Something that isn't a tradition for you can be made into a tradition for current and future students.
I was lucky enough to see the artist renderings of the possible gargoyle and was very impressed.
