the Vol. XCVI No. 20
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Billiken sent packing
Mascot laid off due to budget cuts By KYLE SMITH Paper Dictator
Faced with a budget shortfall of almost $16 million, Saint Louis University officials made the decision to terminate the Billiken on Tuesday. The decision came as a surprise to the longtime SLU employee, who had over 107 years of experience working in the athletics department as the school’s mascot. “I’m still kind of shocked, to be quite honest,” said the Billiken. “I knew things were bad, of course, but after I made it past the recent round of layoffs, I figured I was in the clear. I guess not.” The Billiken has had a long and eventful career at SLU. After he was patented in St. Louis in 1908, he spent several years as a good luck symbol before he started working at SLU in 1911, at the age of 3. He has served in a number of different positions over the years, working as a groundskeeper, desk worker and DPS officer. He even had a brief stint in the ‘80s as an adjunct professor, teaching Troll Economics and Gremlin Studies. But
the Billiken says his true calling has always been as the school mascot. “I can’t believe they fired him,” said junior Abigail Summers. “He was always so friendly and enthusiastic. He was literally, like, the face of this school.” Many remember the Billiken for his fanatic support of SLU’s basketball team. He was a regular sight on the sidelines of each and every home game, dressed in all blue, often cheering, dancing and sometimes even running onto the court at halftime. Despite his extreme antics, he was never disciplined for his behavior or prevented from attending games. University officials released a statement on the recent firing, saying, “These are difficult times for the university, and we have been forced to make many difficult decisions. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Billiken for
Emma Carmody / Thumb Editor
BYE, BYE BILLY: After a 108-year-long career, SLU’s beloved mascot was unexpectedly sacked last week. his many years of service, and we wish him great luck in the future.” But job prospects look grim, according to the 8-foot tall Buddha-like creature, who will be celebrating his 110th birthday later this year. “I’m not gonna lie, it’s a tough market out there for us fantasy creatures. Being
By NATALIE RIOPELLE Concertgoer
Emma Carmody / Thumb Editor
Arts: Writers often enjoy free concerts, like the one pictured above. In the crowd is everyone who volunteered to write the story but never came through. with his best friend, Marco. They used to play outside Walmart on Wednesday nights,” Riopelle said. “He was always very good at the accordion.” To match the high demand with an adequate supply, Riopelle and Associate Arts Editor Tom Bergan reach out to their network of student writers.
a mascot is all I have ever known. And let’s face it, it’s not like I’m as famous the Notre Dame Leprechaun or the Syracuse Orange. Who is going to want to hire a guy like me?” “I’m starting to wish I hadn’t just spent all that money on my facelift,” he added.
Among these writers, SLU senior Angie Montague was one of the most outspoken when asked about her involvement with the paper. “Oh yeah I definitely joined to get into shows. I actually hate writing. Sometimes I’ll just go to the show and then tell the Arts people that I don’t have time to write an article after all. They’ve
gotta hate me at this point!” When asked, Riopelle confirmed that they did, in fact, hate her. Other surveyed writers were just as open, including Edgar Smith who, after complaining about receiving the emails in the first place and how no one even looks at the paper anyway, added quickly, “But don’t tell Kyle that, it might break his heart.” The remaining 20 percent of surveyed Arts writers said that they had forgotten they were on the Arts email list at all. Such as Antonio Phillips, a super senior, who apparently was denied press tickets to see the ever-popular Sparkling Vomit because he had failed to return the camera he’d borrowed from the newsroom during his last press excursion. “Oh yeah, after that, I have their emails sent straight to spam,” said Phillips. Update: Riopelle stated that Phillips still had not returned the camera.
INSIDE SCOOP: SAB selects Allen West to headline Spring Concert Page 8
ARTS
New study shows Comic Sans not so bad after all, despite what you probably think found that Comic Sans used one third of the ink than its nearest opponent In a joint study pubdid. When asked for comlished by Stanford’s Engment as to why this draslish Department and the tic result occurred, the Pew Research Center, spearhead of the study, it has been found that and professor at StanComic Sans is both the ford, Dr. Timothy Hopleast popular font in the pings, was dumbfounded. world and the most envi“I am as shocked at ronmentally friendly. In these results as anyone a poll of 1500 individuals, else. Sure, Pew found Comic Sans that peohas always In a field as ple ranked been a great serious as my Comic Sans font, but I own... where 622 out of don’t think 622 in a people’s lives Microsoft list that knew just are constantly included how incredin your hands, all fonts ible it was it helps to available when they lighten things for everycreated it in day use, up. That’s why 1994.” Hopb e h i n d pings continmyself and Stencil, ued sharing many others L u c i d a the impact love using Comic Sans Typehis findings Sans so much. writer and might have, Wingdings. “This font It was has the abilfound to ity to reduce be most popular amongst ink usage from printers doctors and engineers, by up to 70 percent if who cited the font’s verit becomes the default satility and storied hisfont for all professions— tory as two of the top a move that could save reasons for favoring it. businesses millions of One advocate for the dollars.” font stated that it was With the findings “professional, yet lightbeing published in this hearted. The mullet of quarter’s “Social Science fonts.” He continued “In a Journal,” the effects are field as serious as my own sure to be felt far and — medicine — where peowide. It is rumored that ple’s lives are constantly Apple and Facebook are in your hands, it helps to two companies that are lighten things up. That’s already switching to an why myself and many oth“exclusively Comic Sans ers love using Comic Sans platform.” It will be inso much.” teresting to see who folThe University News lows suit. did not have the heart When reached for to tell him that it ranked comment, Saint Louis dead last in the study. University administration The second half of stated that they intend the study found the font on making an immedialso to be the most enviate switch to a primarily ronmentally conscious of Comic Sans platform in the font variations. In a order to cut costs, and print test that studied that maybe the font “isn’t 150 various fonts, it was that bad after all.” By TOM BERGAN Staff Writer
Most arts section writers just in it for free concerts In a disturbing report released yesterday, 80 percent of surveyed Arts writers stated that they really only joined the newspaper email list to get into concerts. Being that the University News has a powerful presence in a square-mile radius of the school, agents of bands are constantly reaching out to them, offering up press passes. “It’s quite difficult,” Arts Editor Natalie Riopelle, SLU junior, stated on Tuesday, “We’re just in such high demand from the tri-county area that it’s hard to catch a breath.” She went on to say that bands, even from outside the county, send emails every day, begging to be given some attention from the newspaper giant.When asked about the types of bands, Riopelle replied, “Mostly up-andccomers. Like my ex-boyfriend Carl DiMaggio. He is always trying to get featured in our paper. He has a band
Satuday, April Fool’s Day, 2017
SPORTS
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Stunning: Below is just one small part of the professional, inviting and highly underrated typeface.
Emma Carmody / Thumb Editor
Sports balls: Why are they round?
Something about Trump, probably
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OPINION