As I walk around Tallahassee in recent days, there is a buzz around town, an excitement that has not been there in some years. With the recent success surrounding FSU football, it has given the city of Tallahassee something to be proud of. However, I have noticed a growing trend that has been seen over the past few years. This trend has been the infiltration of other colleges memorabilia being sold at stores or malls throughout our fine city. It has outrage me to see local stores trying to profit off the buzz of the current hot college team rather than the hometown team. For example, come to Tallahassee and walk into any of the local Wal-Mart and you will see up front and center Florida merchandise and then FSU merchandise scattered throughout the apparel. Another one that I really enjoyed was at the Publix one minute from my house, they are selling their reusable grocery totes and are pushing to sell the Florida one that was draping over their credit card device. I don't mind businesses trying to make some money, but why insult the locals and only cater to the bandwagon fans that won't care about that team once they start to lose.
I was recently visiting my family in Gainesville and for some reason found myself in a major store at the mall. So I decided to see if they had this problem as we did in Tallahassee. Come to find out they did not, all orange and blue Florida stuff all over the place and not a sign of FSU merchandise. This made me pretty upset to think about my local town of Tallahassee and how they could disrespect our teams. I have to give Gainesville props for not letting monetary profit turn their back on their local team, even during tough times.
Tallahassee has always had two local college teams: Florida A&M and Florida State University. And the two have coexisted wonderfully over many years because they are not competitors. Last I checked University of Florida was at least 140 miles away and should not have any relevance in this town. So I am calling for the locals of Tallahassee, who love their local school(s), to support their team and ask their local retailers to get rid of the junk with other school's names on it and reclaim this town. If they want they merchandise they can order it online or head to their place of business. This is Seminole country and this town is extremely proud of them and we want them to know that we are behind them and not a bandwagon fan.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Get Over Yourself!
On August 16th, the Collegiate Licensing Company and Florida State University sent a cease-and-desist to Southeast High School stating that the school would no longer be allowed to use Seminole logos or the name. The school has used these images and name throughout their history over 51 years. The school's mascot has been a long standing tradition for the local community and these changes could be very costly. They have had a long relationship with the university and now all of sudden there is a problem with the use.
Not long ago FSU was in a battle with the NCAA about the use of the Seminole name as the mascot. But because of the Seminole tribe's support they were able to keep the name and imagery. Now they are casting the same stone at another school, but for different reasons. They are trying to protect the intellectual property and don't want another school to profit off of their name and logos. The school uses the same nickname and mascot, however, the school colors are different (orange and blue). The Seminole head used is not the exact one FSU uses, there is a slight difference in the look and colors. However, the school uses it all throughout the school on letterheads, apparel and it is painted on the walls.
The high school is fighting this letter and they have traveled up to Tallahassee to try and work out some kind of agreement to keep their long-standing tradition. As of August 28th, they seem to have come to an approval for the school to be allowed to keep the use of it. They will probably be under strict guidelines for how they use the name and logos. This is good news for the school, but I have to think that this leaves a bad taste in the mouth of the school and community.
I say to all this mascot stuff is to get over yourself FSU licensing department and CLC. If anyone has the right to complain about the use is the Seminole Indian tribe. FSU dodged a big NCAA request to stop the use the name and imagery a few years ago and now they want to do the same thing to another school because they have profited off the name and logos. I am an FSU alumni and hate to see that they are being so greedy in the use of everything. I believe that this is an issue, for the use of the name and logos in making sure it is all used properly, however it did not have to be done in such a public way. They need to try and figure out a way to save face now because the community seems to be upset with the university and with just cause.
Not long ago FSU was in a battle with the NCAA about the use of the Seminole name as the mascot. But because of the Seminole tribe's support they were able to keep the name and imagery. Now they are casting the same stone at another school, but for different reasons. They are trying to protect the intellectual property and don't want another school to profit off of their name and logos. The school uses the same nickname and mascot, however, the school colors are different (orange and blue). The Seminole head used is not the exact one FSU uses, there is a slight difference in the look and colors. However, the school uses it all throughout the school on letterheads, apparel and it is painted on the walls.
The high school is fighting this letter and they have traveled up to Tallahassee to try and work out some kind of agreement to keep their long-standing tradition. As of August 28th, they seem to have come to an approval for the school to be allowed to keep the use of it. They will probably be under strict guidelines for how they use the name and logos. This is good news for the school, but I have to think that this leaves a bad taste in the mouth of the school and community.
I say to all this mascot stuff is to get over yourself FSU licensing department and CLC. If anyone has the right to complain about the use is the Seminole Indian tribe. FSU dodged a big NCAA request to stop the use the name and imagery a few years ago and now they want to do the same thing to another school because they have profited off the name and logos. I am an FSU alumni and hate to see that they are being so greedy in the use of everything. I believe that this is an issue, for the use of the name and logos in making sure it is all used properly, however it did not have to be done in such a public way. They need to try and figure out a way to save face now because the community seems to be upset with the university and with just cause.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Migraines Blow
I found myself feeling very sympathetic about the recent stories of Percy Harvin, Minnesota Viking WR (former UF all everything), because he has been suffering with some very debilitating migraines during this pre-season. Harvin has suffered with migraines since he was 10 years old. They have continued to plague him through his college and now professional playing days. Most recently he collapsed at practice and an ambulance had to be called because his pain was so bad. Like Harvin I too have suffered with migraines through the better part of my life. Although, from the stories that I hear they do not sound quite as bad nor as frequent as he gets them. When I was younger I would get them probably 2 times per week. I went through many tests and nothing was ever found out to be the cause of them. Within the past 8 years they have become significantly less frequent, maybe 6 really bad ones a year.
I have always liked Percy Harvin even though he cause UF over FSU about 8 years ago. He is a
n outstanding football player and it is tough to see the pain that he goes through in his battle with migraines. Some people say to suck it up, it is only a headache. Well these people have never had a migraine. It is a very crippling pain and you just went to curl up in a dark place and cry. Not everyone suffers with them and if you don't you should consider yourself lucky.
I have always liked Percy Harvin even though he cause UF over FSU about 8 years ago. He is a
n outstanding football player and it is tough to see the pain that he goes through in his battle with migraines. Some people say to suck it up, it is only a headache. Well these people have never had a migraine. It is a very crippling pain and you just went to curl up in a dark place and cry. Not everyone suffers with them and if you don't you should consider yourself lucky.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
My Triumphant Return!
To all my fans out there, I am sorry it has been so long since my last blog entry. I know many of you have gone almost a year without being enlightened by my words and knowledge. Let me explain what happened over the past year. I self-imposed a suspension on my blogging because it became more about quantity rather than quality. Many people were asking for more and I wrote stuff just to get it out there. As a result, I was not happy with the final product and felt it had a bad representation of my true passion.
So now I am entering back into it with my full attention of sharing about things I care about. I had focused mostly on sports on previous blog entries, however, I have other subjects to talk about. Rather than focusing on one field there will be more subjects, which other followers might find more interesting. But not to worry sports will not be completely put aside.
Please stayed tuned throughout the following days, weeks or months and I promise that I will put out better quality posts to better engage my audience.
Thank you.
R-Squared
So now I am entering back into it with my full attention of sharing about things I care about. I had focused mostly on sports on previous blog entries, however, I have other subjects to talk about. Rather than focusing on one field there will be more subjects, which other followers might find more interesting. But not to worry sports will not be completely put aside.
Please stayed tuned throughout the following days, weeks or months and I promise that I will put out better quality posts to better engage my audience.
Thank you.
R-Squared
Friday, August 28, 2009
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