Even if Providence doesn’t strike fear in hearts of KU fans, the Friars’ mascot might
The Providence College men’s basketball team is back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018, which marked the end of five straight appearances for the Friars.
A funny thing happens whenever Providence College, which plays Kansas in a Sweet 16 matchup on Friday night, is in the Big Dance. Fans always take note of the Friars’ mascot, Friar Dom.
Words used to describe Friar Dom, who recently was ranked as the worst mascot in college basketball, include “nightmare fuel,” “scary” and “creepy.” Does any other mascot elicit that kind of reaction?
So what’s the story with Friar Dom?
A Yahoo Sports story from 2018 noted Providence’s first mascot in 1935 was a Dalmatian. Yep, a dog would hang out courtside at games. But a canine’s lifespan requires a new iteration of mascot be found/adopted every few years.
And so, from 1963 to 1993, a friendly costumed mascot was used, as a the New York Post reported. But a good dog was called upon to take the job in 1993.
“On the 75th anniversary of the college’s founding, (Providence) unveiled Friar Boy V, a live Dalmatian beloved by all,” the Yahoo story noted.
Alas, Friar Boy V passed away, and in 2002, a decision was made.
The school ditched the dogs for good and went with a conventional mascot, although that might be a stretch when talking about Friar Dom.
“Friar Dom, who wears the traditional cowl of the Dominican brothers, was given a few aesthetic tweaks over the years until he eventually became the frightening, gaunt spectacle he is today,” the New York Post’s Kirsten Fleming wrote in 2018.
“Why would anyone make a devout Dominican Friar look like the bad man in ‘Poltergeist II’? What if I told you that it’s the same Canadian company (Sugar’s Mascot Costumes of Toronto) that made the adorable Snuggles, the fabric-softener bear? (True story.)“
That Snuggles bear certainly doesn’t frighten people. On the hand, Friar Dom certainly does.
Why would Providence foist this mascot on a nation? Perhaps it’s a sign that the Post and Yahoo stories both reference a story on Providence College’s website that no longer exists. Maybe the school is trying to disassociate itself from the “nightmare fuel” of mascots.
Heck, even Providence College students are a little scared of the guy, as this video from 2017 shows.
This story was originally published March 25, 2022 at 11:45 AM.
