The University of Denver has enacted a new campus safety policy that might signal the end of a Pioneers tradition, as unofficial mascot “Denver Boone” is no longer permitted to attend sports events in full costume on campus.
Denver Boone — a tanned, bearded and smiling man wearing a raccoon-skinned hat reminiscent of Daniel Boone — was recognized as DU’s mascot from 1968 to 1998 prior to being dropped when the school transitioned to Division I in all sports. DU has been without a mascot since “Ruckus” the red-tailed hawk was phased out a decade ago. Since 2009, some DU alumni have privately funded a Denver Boone suit for the tradition to live on without the school’s backing.
Now, Denver Boone’s future is in jeopardy.
DU’s department of campus safety unveiled a new university-wide mandate on its website called the “mask policy” that was enforceable starting Monday. Don Enloe, DU director of campus safety, said it was developed in response to protests turned violent on other college campuses that featured masked protesters.
The new policy, approved by university chancellor Rebecca Chopp, reads as follows:
“For the safety of all DU community members and guests, persons may not wear masks which conceal the face on University premises, including but not limited to masks worn with the intent to or having the effect of intimidating, threatening, or harassing any other person; avoiding identity while engaged in conduct prohibited by University policies or any law; or causing any persons to fear for their personal safety. This policy shall not apply to: covering any part of the face for religious reasons; wearing protective equipment while engaged in a sport or responding to an emergency or safety situation; engaging in a theatrical production or similar University sanctioned event; or wearing a mask for protection for weather or medical reasons.”
Enloe said none of the student protests on DU’s campus have turned violent, or involved masked participants but follows similar policies of campuses across the country.
“Athletics have been involved for quite a long time in developing this to make sure we had language in there that allowed for face painting and other spirit (functions) where you could still identify the person, as well as allow for other teams and universities to bring their official mascots on campus,” he said.
The key word for mascots being “official.” DU currently does not recognize one of its own after a 2013 research study to identify the next mascot failed to yield enough support, university spokesman Jon Stone said.
Damien Goddard is a 1989 DU graduate who founded the website LetsGoDU.com (also not affiliated with the athletic department) that published an analysis of the mask policy and the future of Denver Boone earlier this week. Goddard and other DU alumni have a financial investment in the mascot suit and privately fund student travel and lodging for someone to wear it in the crowd at nationally televised events off campus. Last month Goddard was notified by phone call of the new mask policy. When he appealed to DU for a Denver Boone exception, it was turned down in an email response from the chancellor’s office.
Goddard’s frustration led him to remove his contact information from the alumni association’s mailing list, especially after he alleges DU changed the mask policy text of not allowing for exceptions. As of Friday afternoon, the school had received 23 total inquiries into the policy between the alumni office and the chancellor’s office, according to Stone.
“I’m still going to cheer for the team, but I’m not going to be donating to the school,” Goddard said.
It would appear Denver Boone’s days are numbered.
