Woodling: 'Muck' slogan must go / LJWorld.com

Archive for Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Kansas University's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee wants to clean up "distasteful" T-shirts, including the popular "Muck Fizzou" shirts worn by Jayhawk fans.

By Chuck Woodling

October 30, 2007

Bless their pea-picking hearts, the budding journalists at the University Daily Kansan are on a crusade.

Is Kansas University's student newspaper lobbying for a reduction of tuition and fees? No. They realize they have a better chance of forcing the administration to change KU's nickname from Jayhawks to Persimmons.

Is the UDK pursuing better seats at men's basketball games? Not really. They know Lew Perkins, CEO of Kansas Athletics Inc., holds all the cards.

Is the paper hoping to force the city to repave 19th Street, one of the primary campus access roads? Huh-uh. That isn't it, even though one of Lawrence's most heavily used east-west arterials has become a shock-absorber test zone.

But I digress. The Kansan is determined to come up with an alternative to what has become KU's most recognizable T-shirt slogan. That would, of course, be "Muck Fizzou." The UDK is asking students to submit less vulgar slogans on its Web site. Then they'll pick the top five suggestions and announce the finalists during Saturday's Kansas-Nebraska football game.

I should stress that the student paper isn't alone in this quest. The Interfraternity Council, among others, is a booster, too.

"The Muck Fizzou T-shirt is five years old," IFC president Ian Lang told the UDK. "Let's get something new."

Furthermore, Lang said, the student body needs "to display our pride in something that truly portrays the university we attend. It's about sending the right message."

It's also about having your mug and your index finger waving on television because ESPN has announced it will direct its cameras away from students wearing "Muck Fizzou" T-shirts. This directive from the world-wide leader was issued primarily for men's basketball, but surely also would affect the Kansas-Missouri football game, which almost surely will be on either ESPN or its daddy, ABC.

Yes, I know the KU-MU game will be played on Thanksgiving weekend and the weather isn't likely to be conducive to T-shirts, but you know college students. They'll slather their bodies in bear grease if they think it will lure a TV cameraman.

All of this brings to mind one question: Has there ever been a genteel slogan referring to the Kansas-Missouri rivalry? I know they euphemized the Border War by renaming it the Border Showdown, but all "Muck Fizzou" really did was replace "Sw Mizzou."

Frustratingly for Missouri fans, it's all but impossible to come up with rhymes for the words Kansas and Jayhawks. And there is no such thing as Kazzou, meaning MU students can't wear a T-shirt that reads, "Kuck Fazzou."

Still, I applaud the UDK and others for their efforts to come up with a clever slogan to replace "Muck Fizzou." A refreshing change is certainly possible, but perhaps not probable.

Decades ago, for example, during Kansas-Kansas State games, you would often hear KU students chant the catchy: "Hey, wreck Silo Tech." Yet we hardly ever hear that retort anymore. Or K-State's equally clever rebuttal: "Kill Snob Hill."

Nevertheless, here are a few suggestions: "Show Me? Schmo Me." "Tiger Drag." And "Missour-ugh."

OK, they're not great, but what the heck.

Discussion

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30 October 2007
at 9:24 a.m.

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bmwjhawk (Anonymous) says…

I think the shirt would be funnier if Bucknell was the target.
30 October 2007
at 10:39 a.m.

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T_Time (Anonymous) says…

The Blow Me State
30 October 2007
at 11:26 a.m.

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Confrontation (Anonymous) says…

Missouri: 6 million people, 5 last names (from Joe-College)
30 October 2007
at 11:37 a.m.

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KU_Dude (Anonymous) says…

You can't spell suck without KSU
30 October 2007
at 12:23 p.m.

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gogoplata (Anonymous) says…

How about ending the students dropping the fbomb on kickoffs while your at it. That one took me by suprise this year.
30 October 2007
at 12:31 p.m.

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booze_buds_03 (Anonymous) says…

Ku-dude, not a very good one considering you cant spell SUCK without KU.
30 October 2007
at 1:10 p.m.

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staff04 (Anonymous) says…

2 things—
1) Muck Fizzou has been around for longer than 5 years. I have been gone from KU for longer than that, and they were around when I was there.

2) What the hell is this: “Sw Mizzou.” I don't remember that one. Anyone care to add just a couple more letters?

30 October 2007
at 1:14 p.m.

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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…

Wow. The Flighty Hayjocks are soooooo PC.
30 October 2007
at 1:16 p.m.

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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…

RE: S__W Mizzou
30 October 2007
at 1:16 p.m.

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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…

Staff is correct on point #1. Muck Fizzou shirts have been around at least since the mid 90s if not earlier. Some undergrad came up with it and started selling shirts. Since there is no KU logo on it, no license fees have to be paid to KU. This is what pisses KU off, so they are doing this lame stunt to come up with something similar, yet less offensive. Boo.

That being said, the shirt is old and I haven't seen nearly as many as I used to. It would have died off on it's own eventually but all this will do now is ensure the popularity. I suspect we'll be seeing a lot more Muck Fizzou shirts.

I also think it is hilarious that the average college student would give a damn about what the president of the IFC says. That right there is worth about 1000 sold shirts this week alone.
30 October 2007
at 1:17 p.m.

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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…

RE: with a C
30 October 2007
at 1:42 p.m.

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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…

You know you may be too big of an athletic supporter when you trip over your hayjock, logic. All hay?

I don't give a rat's rump about Mizzou. I don't like the state. I don't even like their section of the turnpike!~) And I wouldn't know Chase Daniel's “balls” if you opened your mouth and spit them at me. Don't be so touchy!~)

You getting Fudgepop disease, or something?~)
30 October 2007
at 1:44 p.m.

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KU_Dude (Anonymous) says…

Missouri….a wannabe Kansas!
30 October 2007
at 1:46 p.m.

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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…

MU, It's what's for dimmer.
30 October 2007
at 1:52 p.m.

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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…

Mizzou, home of lisping cows.
Columbia is for dope growth.
Columbia, gateway to Boonville.

30 October 2007
at 1:53 p.m.

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Andini (Anonymous) says…

Q: What's the best thing to come out of Missouri?

A: Interstate 70
30 October 2007
at 1:54 p.m.

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Andini (Anonymous) says…

Bring Back Quinn.
30 October 2007
at 2 p.m.

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oldgoof (Anonymous) says…

I think all of the cap-guns during the era of Pistol Pete (was that his nick?) were the best.
30 October 2007
at 2:09 p.m.

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JJE007 (Anonymous) says…

What? You looking for sound logic, logicsound04? You won't find it here!~)

Hayjocks sounds like Jayhawks. Hay is “country” and a symbol of rubes. Jocks are for sports. Jocks sporting hay are itchy and scratchy. Itchy and Scratchy is a funny show within a funny show. Funny? No. OK. I tried.
30 October 2007
at 2:21 p.m.

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Gordon (Anonymous) says…

I say we keep the Muck slogan and, since we are doing it during the Nebraska game, we can add Husk the Fuskers on the Back.
30 October 2007
at 2:54 p.m.

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shockchalk (Anonymous) says…

We could replace muck fizzou with “Tiger…….taste like chicken”
30 October 2007
at 3:38 p.m.

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shockchalk (Anonymous) says…

Instead of Mizzou-rah, it could be Mizzou-blah…
30 October 2007
at 3:45 p.m.

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thomgreen (Anonymous) says…

I think everyone should wear the Muck Fizzou shirts, who would ESPN be able to focus on then?

30 October 2007
at 4:48 p.m.

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EasilyAmused (Anonymous) says…

Missouri fans
30 October 2007
at 5:29 p.m.

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del888 (Anonymous) says…

I would also like to see the profanity stopped during kickoffs. I bought family zone tickets, and I expect a family zone environment. Besides, it's just rude.
30 October 2007
at 6:28 p.m.

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Tychoman (Anonymous) says…

How does “Muck Fizzou” NOT send the right message? Keep it.
30 October 2007
at 6:37 p.m.

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topekan7 (Anonymous) says…

Isn't Kansas University the school that will be playing its HOME football game against the University of Missouri IN the state of Missouri this fall?!?!? That is the most distasteful and disrespectful action this university and its athletic department can possibly do to alienate its fans and supporters. It's far more disrespectful than Muck Fizzou. The Muck Fizzou phrase has been around since the 80's at least. If the university wants to see it go away, then stop hyping the “rivalry” and play your home games at home.

At K-State, students are encouraged to wear a particular shirt to home football and basketball games with the enticement of sitting in a better section at the games. The money raised from the sale of the shirts promotes philanthropy. So they have on tasteful shirts with a positive outcome and they've been doing it for years. Now don't you think the UDK or the administration at KU could come up with a similar scheme? Maybe not.

Here's an example of KSU merging philanthropy and t-shirts:
http://www.found.ksu.edu/k-stateproud…
30 October 2007
at 9:13 p.m.

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VoiceOfReason (Anonymous) says…

I am generally very proud of the overall positive sportsmanship displayed by KU fans. For years (at least while I was an undergrad and grad student here in the late 80's - mid 90's), the Big 8 (it wasn't 12 yet) bball officials voted on a “good sportsmanship fan award” (or something to that effect) at the end of every season and KU was chosen every year for it's good fan behavior at Allen Fieldhouse. Fans at any school displaying poor behavior like throwing items at games or rioting after big games has always really bugged me and made the school look bad. On the rare occasions that KU fans have something disrespectful, I remember the coach at the time (Roy) lift an index finger toward the crowd to ask them to stop, and they did so.

I think yelling the F-word during kickoffs is really disgraceful and embarrassing to anyone who takes pride in their alma mater and that should stop. I wouldn't like taking my young child to a game and having to explain that to her and fans should understand how rude it is and stop.

All that being said, however, the Muck Fizzou slogan has been around since I was an undergrad and I hope it never stops. TOB is absolutely right and the University and UDK have ensured that it will be around longer, and with more ferver, because of their rediculous attempt to stop it. I think it's true that they're just mad that they have no licensing rights with the KU slogan on it. Much Fizzou is a creative play on words and demonstrates that the ACTUAL word is not readily acceptable to use in public. I love the shirt (although a bunch of shirts with the suggestion “The Blow Me State to appease the complainers would be really funny) and think the administration just needs to relax and let kids be kids and have some fun (because everyone seems to forget that college students, and the athletes, for that matter still just kids.) Just get over it and find something important to complain about.
31 October 2007
at 2:38 a.m.

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VoiceOfReason (Anonymous) says…

Please forgive me for all of the typos in my 9:13 post. I brain was going faster than my fingers and I clearly didn't proofread it as I should have. Sorry.
31 October 2007
at 4:37 a.m.

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merrill (Anonymous) says…

KU by Lew Moved to KCMO
31 October 2007
at 5:13 a.m.

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labmonkey (Anonymous) says…

My hatred for the state of Missouri knows no bounds….I would rather see KU go 1-10 in football as long as the 1 came against Missouri than go 10-1 and lose to Missouri….but (and I know this is an unpopular opinion on this board) I always thought the Muck Fizzou shirts were classless. Those shirts really hurt the argument that Kansans are better educated and classier than people from Missouri and the likes of the antlers. Dropping the F-bomb during kickoffs is even more classless. I've been a KU fan ever since I was little, but things like dropping the F-bomb during kickoffs and most of the moves made by Lew Perkin$ make it harder and harder to root for KU.

31 October 2007
at 5:38 a.m.

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Crossfire (Anonymous) says…

“Muck Fizzou” is not a new idea.
It has been around as long as “Chuck you Farley…”
You cannot mandate good taste or outlaw good humor.

“Duck U DK”
31 October 2007
at 6:25 a.m.

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Crossfire (Anonymous) says…

Wuck the Fildcats KSUck
31 October 2007
at 7 a.m.

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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…

“You cannot mandate good taste or outlaw good humor.” Yep

“…but (and I know this is an unpopular opinion on this board) I always thought the Muck Fizzou shirts were classless” Agree

“I think yelling the F-word during kickoffs is really disgraceful and embarrassing to anyone who takes pride in their alma mater and that should stop.” When did this start? I hate it when it happens and I've been to tons of football games over the years. Usually, I get in after kickoff as I can always get one more beer down. :)

All this article, the actions of KU, the IFC, and UDK did was ensure this shirt will live on. Come on, these people's business is college. Do they honestly think dictating something like this will cause college students to step in line? Just. Plain. Dumb.
31 October 2007
at 10:12 a.m.

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huntershaven (Anonymous) says…

Mizzou: Finishing what Quantrill started with cleaning up Lawrence.

Mizzou: Taking out the Jayhawk trash.

Jayhawks, the other white meat.
31 October 2007
at 11:04 a.m.

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huntershaven (Anonymous) says…

Interesting response posessionannex. Do you forget what the Jayhawkers did to Missouri residents regardless of pro or anti-slavery sentiments?

Besides, I have noticed that there is a strong Civil War mindset in this area that I am reminded of, especially since I am originally from Missouri. It seems interesting that I can be insulted freely because of my birth state, but when I turn the comments around I get called a racist pig.

You also forget that Missouri was half Union and half Confederate, though some of your Kansan ancestors seem to have forgotten that point. All you focus on is Quantrill and the evils of current day Missourians though you port it through the KU-MU rivalry.
31 October 2007
at 11:07 a.m.

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huntershaven (Anonymous) says…

By the way, it is nice to know that the Johnson County Kansas attitude is rubbing off on those in other surrounding counties.
31 October 2007
at 11:10 a.m.

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huntershaven (Anonymous) says…

I also find it interesting that KU gets trashed by so many Kansans right up until it is in a game against an out of state rival, then all the fervor and spirit and support is there, especially when it comes time to trash the residents of another state.

For a state who has such a claim to fame as Fred Phelps, I wouldn't get too snippy.
31 October 2007
at 11:50 a.m.

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Crossfire (Anonymous) says…

“Duck FeSoto”

31 October 2007
at 2:06 p.m.

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Jaminrawk (Anonymous) says…

MIZZOU, where … what the hell is a MIZZOU?

MIZZOU, my safety school after clown college.

MIZZOU, where being mediocre is a good thing.
31 October 2007
at 2:26 p.m.

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ontheotherhand (Anonymous) says…

Some of you guys have come up with some very funny lines!! Thanks for the mid-break smiles. I have to admit: Duck FeSoto made me laugh out loud.

My favorite KU shirt (although it is probably not very nice, but it is funny): My coach can eat your coach.

Happy Halloween, All! :)
31 October 2007
at 2:39 p.m.

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75x55 (Anonymous) says…

Amazing.
31 October 2007
at 2:55 p.m.

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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…

Duck FeSoto is awesome. Tongi and Eudora students are already printing shirts.
31 October 2007
at 3:11 p.m.

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drake (Anonymous) says…

Hey huntershaven.

Since you are from Missouri maybe you could answer a question for me.

If you marry your wife in Missouri and then move to Desoto is she still considered your sister?
31 October 2007
at 4:36 p.m.

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MuWalt (Anonymous) says…

Well living in Lawrence for several years, these shirts dont seem to bother me any more.
Since most of them wearing the shirts, probably didnt even finish high school.
But i will say one about sportsmanship, me and my daughter went to the Ku-Mu football game
two years ago. After the game was over these drunk college kids see us wearing our mizzou gear, then a girl comes over and “'yells, ” slave state. Yall Jayhawkers take this issue a little too far, like were supporting slavery. However, being an African American, this cannot be further from the truth. Then, my teenage daughter says dad can i give them the finger. I said no, ther're
just a bunch of drunk idiots, no need to relate to KU's level.
31 October 2007
at 5:09 p.m.

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labmonkey (Anonymous) says…

MuWalt- I have been a KU fan all my life, and my opinion of them went way down when I lived in Lawrence (but I am not about to have a sports divorce with KU)…still, Mizzou fans bring up Cantrell's raiders just as often (if not more) than KU referrs to Missouri being a slave state.
31 October 2007
at 9:50 p.m.

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bdat13 (Anonymous) says…

No matter what the KU AD Lew Perkins (Connecticut Yankee) wants to believe this is the “Border War”, not the “Border Showdown”. I am so sick of Political Correctness I want to puke. Here is a little history lesson for you Lew…

The Civil War (unofficially) started with Bleeding Kansas on May 12, 1856 with the burning of the Free State Hotel (now Eldridge) by border ruffians. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleeding…

Quantrill and his raiders burned Lawrence. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_…

Were there retaliations? Unfortunately yes. But you, Lew, mock the memory of the events by calling this the “Border Showdown”, and belittle those who serve in the military by changing the name.

Moving on. I have friends that I work with that unfortunately either were born or live in Missouri, but we have a friendly banter every year about football and basketball. Do they find the “Muck Fizzou” shirts offensive? No. Do they find the old S**w Mizzou shirts offensive? No. Why, because it's in good fun.

Was the event that MuWalt had to endure offensive? YES! MuWalt, as a KU fan I am sorry you had to endure that.

Remember fans this is supposed to be a sports rivalry no matter how badly kick the Kitties!

Best Five Tshirt concepts already on the Board

“MIZZOU, they don't take out the trash, they try to educate it.”
“Missouri - 3,000,000 people, six last names.”
“Mizzou, the other white trash.”
“Tiger::.taste like chicken.”
“Our coach can eat your coach.”

My contribution to the Tshirt ideas

“Missouri… set you clocks back 100 years.”
“Flush twice! It's a long way to Columbia!”
“Have you kicked your Kitty today?”

31 October 2007
at 9:52 p.m.

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bdat13 (Anonymous) says…

BTW - Woodling must go or be censured for buying into the teachings of Lew!
1 November 2007
at 8:47 a.m.

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Crossfire (Anonymous) says…

T-shirt our hero Big Man Mark in a mouse costume
(cool shades, of course).
––––-caption… “Here, Kitty-Kitty-Kitty.” …nuff said.–––––-
2 November 2007
at 10:20 p.m.

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Crossfire (Anonymous) says…

Grandpa, this flag only has 49 stars on it
I'll be deep in the cold, cold ground before I recognize Missourah!