Staff Editorial
Making a successful comeback campaign is not an easy task. It’s hard to pull off, especially if you’ve been out of the spotlight so long that you might as well be found on a milk carton with a “missing” sign above your head. Comebacks are difficult, but impossible? Not at all.
Every woman with a pulse watched Patrick Dempsey do it with his McDreamy looks and McCharming ways as “Grey’s Anatomy’s” Dr. Shepherd. Justin Timberlake finally left his river and brought sexy back, and the Detroit Tigers put 12 consecutive losing seasons behind them to land a spot in this year’s World Series. But the award for the most recent greatest comeback may belong on the walls of Firestone Fieldhouse in honor of our own Willie the Wave.
After happily waving goodbye to the embarrassment of a mascot that was the spandex-suited package of five Wave Men in 2005, Pepperdine welcomed back Willie at this year’s Midnight Madness following a 10-year absence.
But as soon as his big, blue, muscular, spirited self made way onto the court, just as many laughs and pointing gestures greeted him as cheers. Like him or not, anyone who’s responsible for sending the Wave Men home for good and no longer making us the only Division I school without a mascot deserves some credit.
In an “interview” on the Public Relations daily announcements, Willie said his time off was spent “finding myself” on a “horizon-broadening experience, part spiritual, part relaxin’ and kicking-back.”
So after catching up with some friends in Tahiti, saving a beached whale, taking some cooking classes and donating his time to sea life research, it’s safe to say Willie’s back and better than ever.
Heck, even his appearance was noticeably upgraded, and he wasn’t shy to talk about it, saying that he’s “been working out some — focusing on my lats, delts and quads. It’s boring, but it’s a part of my life.”
And his clothes? There’s no reason to make fun of his outfit. At least he’s not wearing Uggs in 80-degree weather or sporting baggy jeans that don’t stay on his waist like some people around here. Even if he did fall into the latest fashion trends, Willie would still be the coolest kid around.
Besides The Matrix’s Neo, only Willie can get away with wearing sunglasses 24/7.
And the rest of his ensemble? Everyone thought only 40-year-old men going through a midlife crisis could pull off the Hawaiian shirt, but Willie and his white-floral blue shirt prove he can look good in anything.
Willie also shows he’s got some fashion sense by offsetting the shirt with orange shorts, making for a perfect mix of school colors, which can also be found on his feet.
Ninety percent of Pepperdine’s student body may own a pair of Rainbow sandals, but leave it to Willie to make plastic orange flip flops the new must-have shoe.
Oh, and let’s not forget about that gleaming smile— somebody’s obviously been using his Whitestrips.
Willie obviously cares about being a strong representative of Pepperdine athletic teams, and it’s about time we all join him. While Vance Walberg is utilizing his up-tempo style of play on his men’s basketball team, Willie will be busy garnering an up-tempo style of spirit.
Lack of spirit has always been somewhat of a problem, but with a mascot back, the only people we can blame for that now is ourselves. So please, do not pick on the returning mascot. There is no point in wasting your energy complaining about someone who represents a source of pride for the Waves.
Let’s give Willie a chance. It is about time we bring some McSpirit back to Pepperdine.
10-26-2006