The NCAA tournament runner-ups from last season, Butler, will have to open this year's tournament at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., without their faithful bulldog mascot, known as Blue II.
Butler's bulldog, Blue II, banned from NCAA tournament [The Dagger]
“We granted an exception for the Final Four last year, and suspect we would do so again in a similar situation,” NCAA spokesman David Worlock said in an e-mail. “But in preliminary rounds, given the limited space, tight turnaround at venues with multiple sessions, etc., the rule is no live animals may enter the building. This was specifically communicated to Butler last season.”
Georgetown, which will host the first- and second-round games at the [Verizon Center]...asked the NCAA to allow Blue II to attend the game...given that they also have a live bulldog mascot prominently featured at home games. The request was turned down.Butler's opponent in their first round matchup is Old Dominion. No word yet if the ODU mascot, the smiling lion called "Big Blue", will be in the building. However, I would think that ODU's mascot would have to be watched more closely than Blue II would need to be, after Big Blue attempted a Lebron James baby powder toss before the CAA championship game. Hopefully he would be kept far enough away from the court this time to cause any hazards to the players or any delays to the game.
Butler's bulldog, Blue II, banned from NCAA tournament [The Dagger]
Moonlighting as a blogger to pursue my interest and enjoyment of sports. Former high school and Division I athlete (now a "retired" family man) that loves watching and discussing all sports. Follow me on Twitter (@HoldoutSports) and like Holdout Sports on Facebook.
