Aggies should’ve stuck to their guns. OH BROTHER!!

[LifeNRA]

The New Mexican: Aggies should’ve stuck to their guns.

By TOMMY TRUJILLO | The New Mexican

August 18, 2005

ALBUQUERQUE — Just when I thought it was safe to defend myself from the long list of Aggie bashers, New Mexico State University went and took the pistol from Pete.

New athletics director, new football coach, new men’s basketball coach and new mascot.

OK, Sesame Street fans, which one doesn’t belong?

I’ll take new head football coach Hal Mumme, and new head men’s basketball coach Reggie Theus, and even new AD McKinley Boston. But not a new Pistol Pete.

I thought the NCAA’s asinine decision to ban its schools from wearing what it dubbed offensive names on its uniforms for the basketball tournament was bad enough.

Now NMSU takes the pistol from Pistol Pete.

I’d like to think the move was made in order to garner attention for the university rather than complying with the politically correct crowd. The change has drawn lots of attention from national media, including the National Rifle Association, which interviewed NMSU assistant athletics director Sean Johnson on one of its radio programs Wednesday.

The attention is welcomed by NMSU, considering the performances of some of its athletics teams last season . A 5-6 season helped end the tenure of former NMSU head football coach Tony Samuel. A severe health issue as well as a below average team led Lou Henson into retirement and the Aggies finished with a embarrassing 6-24 record.

I’d endure 26 of those seasons for one simple — and non-firing — weapon.

I still don’t understand the reason for the change. What was wrong with the old Pistol Pete?

To make matters worse, the new Pete was designed by an Aggie “traitor,” Richard Evarts, an NMSU alumni. I would’ve understood if it was designed by a former University of New Mexico Lobo, considering.

“I wanted to stick with the strong tradition of agriculture and ranching in Southern New Mexico,” the turncoat said in an NMSU press release. “It was important to keep those traditions. I tried to keep some of the aspects of the old Pete, but I also wanted to make it completely different than anything anyone else had done before.

“I went back and looked at old photos of 19th century Southern New Mexico legends like Pat Garrett and John Chisum. I wanted that theme, but with a modern look to it.”

I’ll give him that. The new Pete looks like the lost Village Person.

Sure, he needed to be updated after 40 years. Heck, trim up the mustache, even up the sideburns, shave the stubble and get him some new clothes.

But to completely overhaul a symbol that has represented New Mexico State University for the past 40 years is an injustice.

It’s the equivalent to UNM softening up Lobo Louie and replacing him with Barney.

Just imagine the uproar.

Comments

By Alan Yates (Submitted: 08/22/2005 7:16 pm)

It is shameful that attempts to be cosmipolitan and "with it" always seem to include denial of any form of weapons in our history...Especially firearms. Thank God we had those guns when the frontier was being confornted. Thank God some of us still recognized that they keep our nation free.

By Tony Orlando (Submitted: 08/18/2005 10:47 am)

Tommy,

There is nothing wrong with taking Pete’s gun and giving him a rope. Agriculture is the biggest reason why NMSU earned a reputation in the academic community. Additionally, if the new logo helps the school sell more apparel, then they have made the same smart decision many other schools are making these days.

[Texan_Til_I_Die]

Re: Aggies should’ve stuck to their guns. OH BROTHER!!

Isn't there a mascot from New England (can't recall the school) that's a Minuteman? He's always shown holding a flintlock. I wonder if they'll go after him too?

And what about West Point? Don't they fire a canon when the Cadets score?

Lunacy on parade...