Waterloo Black Hawks’ Mascot, Tommy, SUSPENDED!?
If you've ever been to a Waterloo Black Hawks game in Young Arena, you know the local hockey squad's mascot, Tommy.
The boisterous bird may have gone a bit too far in a recent charade and has gotten himself suspended indefinitely by the governing body that oversees the Black Hawks -- the United States Hockey League.
According to the team's website, "For the first time in nearly three decades as Waterloo’s mascot, the Black Hawks #1 supporter will be barred from this Saturday’s game against the Omaha Lancers due to an incident of unsportsmanlike conduct during a recent game in Party Town. The suspension begins immediately and is indefinite."
For a mascot that is so widely adored by the Waterloo fanbase, this hurts. Tommy often is a huge factor in entertainment for the hockey team, as the site says: "(This) means no mingling with fans during the game, no on-ice antics at intermission, and saddest of all, Tommy won’t get to enjoy his customary pregame Domino’s Pizza."
Of course, mascots are supposed to be fun and are generally allowed quite a bit of leeway in their antics. Because professional sports mascots are a tight-knit community, Waterloo's site says "Mascots from around the country have reached out to express their shock and question the implications for what this might mean for mascot freedom of expression."
I couldn't find anything online, but they may have reached out directly to the organization, or it could all be a joke/marketing ploy. Who's to say?
Either way, the Black Hawks "are asking fans to make their voices heard in solidarity with Tommy Hawk and be at the rink with cowbells at the ready so that this injustice does not pass by in silence."
The site adds the following: "From now through Friday at 5 p.m., the Black Hawks will be offering $10 Attack and Goal Zone tickets online only with the promotional code FreeTommy.
The only way to stop this hostility toward Tommy is to be united together as one. Join us at Young Arena to show your support."