At NLC, it's the year of the horse

Boys and girls, children of all ages, may I introduce the reinvented and newly revered NLC Blazer’s mascot: The horse.

That’s right, the Bears are out and the horse is in. Finally, something that makes sense, something that won’t leave the students and opposing teams alike scratching their collective heads.

Those of you who were unaware of NLC’s mascot dilemma are probably better off for it. It’s a little confusing, but of the seven Dallas County Community College District campuses, two supposedly had bears as their mascots. Ladies and gentlemen, this simply will not fly. How can the Bears play the Bears?

With that in mind the participating faculty and student body have decided it is time for a change. Hopefully, the new mascot will reinvigorate the student body and give them a symbol to rally around at various sporting events.

The decision to change the mascot to a horse was actually a well thought-out process. The student government put together a school wide vote that took place in spring 2004. The equine blazer will begin his term as mascot on March 7, which happens to be the same day as the Journalism Club’s Chili Cookoff. The event will be judged at noon and held in front of the bookstore.

Now, if you know anything about the history of NLC, as I’m sure you all do, then you know that before our school was built the area we are standing on today was once farmland. What ask? The answer is, surprisingly enough, horses. Therefore, NLC equals horses. But wait, there’s more.

A “blaze” itself is defined as a white or light-colored spot on the face of an animal, such as a horse. Now it’s all coming together! Also, to further connect the dots, NLC’s first basketball coach, Neil Johnston, who led the National Basketball Association in scoring for three years and was the 1956 Most Valuable Player, was a Trailblazer. So many connections it couldn’t be a coincidence. The NLC Blazers where truly meant to be represented by a horse.

So just keep in mind that if you see a spike in the baseball team’s batting average or the basketball team’s scoring average, know that it is not a coincidence, it’s good coaching.

But it could also be that a noble horse, not a hibernating bear with a silly beanie hat, is leading the great student body of NLC.