TU unveils new Captain 'Cane mascot

BY ERIC BAILEY World Sports Writer
Monday, September 21, 2009
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Tulsa introduced a new-look mascot before Todd Graham's press conference on Monday.

Captain 'Cane will make his debut at TU's home opener against Sam Houston State on Saturday night.

Captain 'Cane is a human form, differing from past Golden Hurricane mascots. A muscular-bound figure, he carries a hurricane-summoning sword, energy-sourcing thunder boots, lightning bolt blaster gloves and a wind-current flying cape.

"We've had Captain 'Cane from the 1970s and he's still our mascot," Tulsa athletic director Bubba Cunningham said. "It's difficult to depict a hurricane or wind.

"Captain 'Cane is still Captain 'Cane. We've made him more of a superhero than depicting a hurricane."

The former Captain 'Cane was a Hurricane-shaped mascot that was voted by Foxsports.com as the second-worst college mascot behind Stanford's tree.

"Just what the heck is on top of his head?" the Web site asked about the retired Captain 'Cane costume. "Winnie the Pooh's beehive? An upside-down cowpile?

"Not satisfied with the bad headgear, the Golden Hurricane added a sinister smile and punched-in nose for an even more ridiculous look. Looking like you lost a fight with a pottery instructor is no way to go through life."

The Hurricane-type mascot has been a part of TU since 1977, when the mascot was known as "Hurc" and later a transformation to the nickname "Huffy." In the early 1990s, Captain 'Cane took on a new look.

A coloring book will be given to the first 2,000 youth at Saturday's 6 p.m. game against Sam Houston State. It will introduce how the new character evolved.

Associated Images:

The redesigned Captain 'Cane poses for a portrait after a press conference at the University of Tulsa on Monday. MIKE SIMONS/Tulsa World