It’s a Short Life for Costume of Texas Longhorns’ Mascot

Oski the Bear was reinstated and the Pittsburgh Parrot was returned recently, but not all is well in the world of team mascots.

Hook ‘Em, the University of Texas’ Longhorn mascot, is washed up. School officials tried to launder the steer costume, and it shrank so badly that its student occupant could no longer get into it.

“It didn’t hold its shape at all,” Texas assistant dean of students Glenn Maloney said. “It looked more like a kangaroo or an anteater. People really disliked it, and if you ever saw it, you’d know why.”

Add mascots: There apparently is no truth to the rumor that the Wayne Lukas-trained colt Grand Canyon will become the mascot of the Clippers.

Trivia time: Who is the only person to have refereed the Rose Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Cotton Bowl and Orange Bowl?

Inspired choice: Keith Navidi, a defensive lineman for Esperanza High, couldn’t decide between scholarship offers from Washington and Oregon last week. An avid fisherman, Navidi said both schools are near some of the best fishing spots in the Northwest.

“I sat down and wrote out what I liked best about each school,” Navidi said. “It was still a tough decision. I’m a Christian, so I let the Lord decide.

“Then, I was driving on the freeway one day and the car ahead of me had a University of Washington bumper sticker on it. The one next to it was a sticker with the dove sign. That’s when I made up my mind to go to Washington.”

Losing proposition?The Atlantic Coast Conference does not accept athletes who don’t meet the academic requirements of Proposition 48. Some other conferences, such as the Big Ten, do. Said Gary Williams, University of Maryland basketball coach:

“Obviously there are some great players that are non-qualifiers. You see some pretty good academic schools with non-qualifiers in the lineup like Notre Dame. I think that’s something to think about in the future.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily true the Big Ten is better than the ACC this year. It’s still to be seen who has the best teams right now.”

Truth will out: Mike Moran, USOC director of public relations, at the committee’s banquet in Phoenix: “I have an announcement to make. I have just been informed that Mike Tyson has been knocked out by Buster Douglas in the 10th round, which confirms what Robin Givens has been telling us all along.”

One of those things: Charlotte Hornet fans unhappy with owner George Shinn are displaying a new slogan: “Shinn happens.”

Trivia answer: Eugene S. Calhoun, who will retire this summer after six years as supervisor of Big Ten football officials.

Quotebook: Mike Tyson, speaking at a news conference four days before he fought Douglas: “No way I can lose.”