I thought this was creative, and figured you guys might enjoy a little tongue in cheek humor...

Times WV Wrote:What the heck is a Chanticleer?
By Bob Hertzel For the Times West Virginian
August 28, 2010

MORGANTOWN — The burning question this week as West Virginia University readies itself for its opening game against Coastal Carolina is a simple one:

What the heck is Chanticleer?

Coastal Carolina has taken on the nickname the Chanticleers (pronounce it SHONT-ti-clear). It is taken from Chauncer’s Cantebury Tales, being a proud and fierce rooster who dominates the barnyard in the Nun’s Priest tale.

Here’s what Chaucer wrote: “For crowing there was not his equal in all the land. His voice was merrier than the merry organ that plays in church, and his crowing from his resting place was more trustworthy than a clock. His comb was redder than fine coral and turreted like a castle wall, his bill was black and shone like a jet, and his legs and toes were like azure. His nails were whiter than the lily and his feathers were like burnished gold.”

This is what Coastal Carolina tells us on line about how the mascot came to be:

“In the mid-1960’s, a group of Coastal students and their English professor brought up the idea of a new mascot. At the time, Coastal’s athletic teams were known as the Trojans. With Coastal Carolina serving as a two-year branch of the University of South Carolina at the time, many people began to push for a nickname that was more closely related to USC’s Gamecock. Thus, Chanticleer was born as one of the most unique mascots in collegiate athletic history. Chanticleer gave Coastal a mascot which resembles the Gamecock, but still gave the University its own identity.”

It is a touching story, to be sure, and because of its poetic roots in Chaucer, we have penned the poor man’s lyrical version of the Canterbury Tales, entitled “What the heck is a Chanticleer?”


“What’s in a name?” asked the poet Shakespeare
And that’s a philosophy to which I adhere
Now, with the opener drawing ever so near
It must be asked
“What the heck is a Chanticleer?”

It’s only one week until they are here
When out of the tunnel they will appear
And as they do, an angry crowd will sneer
Mockingly shouting
“What the heck is a Chanticleer?”

Of course, moments later, the crowd will cheer
When out of nowhere comes the Mountaineer
He’ll raise his musket,
No need to fear
Unless you happen to be a Chanticleer

It is opening day, a time we revere
But let me make this very clear
To make it a wonderful atmosphere
Raise your voice loud and clear
“What the heck is a Chanticleer?”

Forty-five to three, predicted this seer
Trying to sound, oh, so sincere
But even those sitting in the upper tier
Wondered what the heck is a Chanticleer?

It’s lost to history, but even old Paul Revere
While approaching a forgotten Boston pier
Said “It’s time for the British to disappear”
And “What the heck is a Chanticleer?”

To win the game, Devine ran like a deer
Behind Ryan Clarke, who ran like a steer
And as they did, the fans would jeer
“What the heck is a Chanticleer?”

Using the spread, never the veer,
Wearing the normal gold and blue gear
Coastal Carolina was left far to the rear
As the echoes roared
“What the heck is a Chanticleer?”

The game is over, the field now clear
The mood somber and quite austere
Into the tunnel did they disappear,
Mumbling out loud
“What the heck is a Chanticleer?”

It was back to Shakespeare
Back to King Lear
But it won’t be long ‘til
There’s plenty of beer
And no professor on hand to say
“What the heck is a Chanticleer?”

E-mail Bob Hertzel at bhertzel@hotmail.com.

(08-28-2010 08:34 AM)bitcruncher Wrote:  “What the heck is a Chanticleer?”[/font][/size]

Hertzel might want to ask Rutgers. The chanticleer was once its mascot, and the student radio station is still signed as WCTC.

Had you read the story, it told you what a Chanticleer was. The rest was mere humor...

(08-28-2010 08:43 AM)DFW HOYA Wrote:  

(08-28-2010 08:34 AM)bitcruncher Wrote:  “What the heck is a Chanticleer?”[/font][/size]

Hertzel might want to ask Rutgers. The chanticleer was once its mascot, and the student radio station is still signed as WCTC.

WCTC is not the student radio station it belongs to Greater Media I believe. The student radio station is WRSU.

Chanticleer

Correction noted, thanks.

It's a great name and a great mascot.

Good stuff Bit

And their Big South rivals refer to them as...the Beach Chickens. Good stuff.

Thumbs up for any mascot that is a reference to Canterbury Tales!

I appreciate schools that stretch beyond the typical Bulldogs, Tigers, Eagles, etc. etc.

One can usually find them in an entrance hallway (high ceilings) and/or in a dinning room.

That's tacky KL (the chandalier, not the post ). Liberace would be proud!

(08-30-2010 12:06 AM)army56mike Wrote:  I appreciate schools that stretch beyond the typical Bulldogs, Tigers, Eagles, etc. etc.

Evergreen State College
Motto: Omnia Extares (Let it all hang out)
Mascot: Goeducks




Delta State University
Mascot: Fightin' Okra



Scottsdale community college
Mascot: Fightin' Artichokes



St. Louis College of Pharmacy.
Mascot: Eutectic



University of California-Irvine
Mascot: Anteater



UC Santa Cruz
Mascot: Banana Slug



Gray Harbor College:
Mascot: Charlie Choker



North Carolina School of Arts
Mascot: Fightin' Pickles



University of Arkansas at Monticello
Mascot: Boll Weevil

BTW, here is Evergreen State College's fight song

Go, Geoducks go,
Through the mud and the sand,
let's go.
Siphon high, squirt it out,
swivel all about,
let it all hang out.

Go, Geoducks go,
Stretch your necks when the tide
is low
Siphon high, squirt it out,
swivel all about,
let it all hang out.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packag...z0y66I3kMS