Where Butler's mascot watched his team while banned from the arena
As tip-off of Thursday's opening-round game between Butler and Texas Tech approached, the owner of the Bulldogs' mascot packed up Blue III and headed back to his hotel.
Michael Kaltenmark could not bring the English Bulldog into PNC Arena for Butler's 71-61 victory because the NCAA has prohibited live mascots from attending tournament games prior to the Final Four
"I drove him back to the hotel and then I went back to catch the game," Kaltenmark told Yahoo Sports. "I did turn the TV on in the hotel room to the game, so he could watch."
Kaltenmark had to negotiate to get Blue III's predecessor entry to the Final Four in 2010 and 2011, but the NCAA will not make an exception for early-round games. NCAA spokesman David Worlock told reporters in 2011 that "given the limited space, tight turnaround at venues with multiple sessions, etc., the rule is no live animals may enter the building."
"People ask why he's not at the game since they've seen him around Raleigh, and we have to tell them it's NCAA protocol," Kaltenmark said. "That doesn't sit well with people.
"I don't like the rule. I think live mascots would add to the tournament. We have a real dog you can follow, touch or even get a picture with. I think people really enjoy that. It's a shame we can't celebrate the NCAA tournament a little more by bringing him to the opening rounds. It's a big missed opportunity not only for Butler but for the NCAA and CBS."
Not being able to bring Blue III inside the arena for NCAA tournament games frustrates Kaltenmark because he has seen the joy a mascot can bring. Blue III's predecessor became a fan and media favorite during the 2010 and 2011 Final Fours, posing for pictures, appearing at alumni functions and earning feature treatment from local and national outlets.
At home games, Butler starters will take a detour to pet Blue III during player introductions. Members of the Final Four teams were so certain that brought them good luck that they did the same before the 2010 and 2011 national semifinals and finals.
"At the Final Four, Blue II caused a media frenzy," Kaltenmark said. "I think it was really great for Butler. He sort of was able to take some of the spotlight off them, and at the time I think Brad Stevens and the team appreciated that. The response from the media and the fans in 2010 and 2011 blew me away. We were doing appearances from sun up to sundown."
Blue III made plenty of appearances on Saturday too, both at pregame and postgame alumni get-togethers. Kaltenmark also brought Blue III for surprise visits to the homes of prospective Butler students who have received admission to the school but are still deciding whether to come.
But during the Butler game itself, Blue III was back at the hotel alone.
"He was kind of groggy when I got back to the hotel because he was taking a nap," Kaltenmark said. "He saw that I was excited about the game, so he perked up pretty quick. I was in a good mood because the Dogs won, so that put him in a good mood."
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Jeff Eisenberg is the editor of The Dagger on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at daggerblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
