In 1968, several Disney artists were commissioned to create a new image for DU’s mascot, later dubbed “Denver Boone” during a student submission naming contest. Denver Boone remained the university’s official mascot until 1998, when he was replaced by a red-tailed hawk logo and mascot named Ruckus. Then in 2008, a group of alumni spearheaded efforts to raise money for a Boone costume unaffiliated with the university. This costume would be worn by students at sports games and other DU events, despite not being representative of the university’s official mascot.

There has continued to be heated controversy over DU’s unofficial mascot since it was originally retired in 1998. With efforts to reinstate the mascot in 2013 and a subsequent resolution passed by Undergraduate Student Government (USG) banning student organizations from purchasing Boone merchandise, the topic has remained relevant for more than 15 years.

After efforts by a mascot task force failed to find a new mascot for DU in 2014, DU’s Boone controversy may be falling into a lull, and as a result many incoming students are unaware of Boone’s history or the fact that the mascot they see at sporting events and tailgates is an unofficial one.
Sierra Newby, a freshman political science major from Brighton, Colorado, said that she did not know Boone was not DU’s official mascot when she first arrived at the university.

“When I came to DU I knew that Boone was controversial because of his connotation, but I didn’t know that he was a separate entity,” said Newby. “Generally, a mascot is a symbol of spirit and team pride and can get the crowd pumped and eager to participate. I think Boone does have that effect, even though he’s not technically our official mascot.”

Newby also noted that Boone’s presence at DU games and events could be problematic.

“At the same time, by allowing a controversial figure at all the events, the university is giving permission to be publicly offensive, and it probably doesn’t look very good on our part,” she said. “Also, because he’s technically unaffiliated, that kind of implies that anyone could dress up in a costume and parade around games as our mascot.”

According to Damien Goddard, founder of LetsGoDU.blogspot.com and one of the DU alumni involved in fundraising efforts for the unofficial mascot, the idea was originally inspired by Chancellor’s Coombe’s announcement in 2008 that Boone’s image could be used by students and alumni however they pleased.

“Within days [of the announcement], DU Alum Richard Kuerston contacted me and suggested the alumni fund and build a costume and donate it to DU students. I agreed to help raise the money from alums, students and fans, if he led the design and construction of the costume. Richard found several mascot companies, solicited quotes and worked with artists to design a tougher, taller more modern Denver Boone, inspired by the original Disney drawing,” said Goddard.

According to Goddard, funding for the costume was procured through donations by alumni and a Fundy campaign (a crowd-funding service much like Kickstarter or Indiegogo) that was open to the public. These funds went toward building the costume, funding travel for the mascot to away games and tournaments, sending DU students to Mascot Boot Camps, holding merchandise giveaways and continued costume maintenance.

Goddard also noted that efforts were taken to make Boone’s image more inclusive.

“It was important to the alumni organizers that the costume feature ‘ethnically ambiguous’ skin color, receive online input from students, alumni and fans, resemble the fictional Disney drawing and be easily identifiable as a ‘pioneer,’” said Goddard. “We raised and collected the money, took delivery of the costume and have been supporting DU athletic teams home and away ever since.”

Amanda Williams, a senior psychology and biology major from Tsaile, Arizona and a member of DU’s Native Student Alliance, said that she feels that Boone is not an inclusive mascot.

“[Boone] doesn’t represent ‘inclusive excellence’ and it’s based on this whole notion of western culture that isn’t a very proud one. I feel like it only represents one side of that history and it doesn’t show the whole picture,” said Williams. “With the Pow Wow that we just held and the events surrounding the Sand Creek Massacre, it is becoming more and more clear that there is a whole side of indigenous influences tied to DU that are not being accurately portrayed.”

Goddard, however, voiced his support for Boone as DU’s official mascot.

“I believe DU students want a college experience that connects them to the Pioneer family and school history, and allows them to cheer with a mascot that has been around DU since 1968,” said Goddard. “DU is a university that has people from every walk of life, and Boone enables them to feel a sense unity that not only connects them to other students, but to the DU alumni and fans.”

Williams stated that though she supports the idea of having a mascot, she does not feel that Boone is an appropriate candidate.

“I think that a mascot in general is a good idea, and I’m all for school spirit, but a mascot such as Boone doesn’t represent the entire student body,” said Williams. “I just want to see a mascot that everyone at DU can be a part of and be proud of.”