Hampshire College Mascot Spirit Days: Dressing up in Support

Hampshire College is a small liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts. Like many colleges and universities, Hampshire College has a mascot that represents the school spirit and identity. However, unlike most schools, Hampshire College does not have a traditional mascot like a sports team or animal. Instead, the college has chosen to embrace a more abstract and unique mascot: a spiral. The spiral is a significant symbol in Hampshire College's culture and philosophy. It represents the individual journey of growth and education that each student embarks on during their time at the college.

At point I pull it apart and just kind of stare at it in disbelief and relief.

But once I looked inside, I found absolutely nothing inside either end show inside of each end of stick to audience , just a string running through each end, and they were connecting a blue pom pom and a yellow pom pom, and a red pom pom and a white pom pom. Just do what I did, find a little tackle box to carry it, and get a big, floppy, VERY realistic rubber fish, glue a serious magnet into its mouth and you re ready for a killer finish.

It represents the individual journey of growth and education that each student embarks on during their time at the college. Hampshire College takes pride in its progressive and non-traditional approach to education, and the spiral mascot reflects this unconventional mindset. The spiral symbolizes constant growth, expansion, and change.

Pom pom prop magic trick

I've used the Pom Pom off and on for years. I've changed my routine several times but have never been fully satisfied with the results of my script. I especially feel that when the poms are pulled so as to make them the same length at each end, it doesn't really go anywhere.
Finally pulling the stick in half. again. doesn't go anywhere.
I'd welcome thoughts and ideas for a solid routine.
Thanks.

I have found that pulling the stick apart gets a great reaction. I explain that once I thought I had the stick figured out. There must be a complicated system of belts and pulleys, chains and sprockets and gears attaching all the strings and pom poms, so I decided to take the stick apart, look inside and see exactly how the thing works. But once I looked inside, I found absolutely nothing inside either end (show inside of each end of stick to audience), just a string running through each end, and they were connecting a blue pom pom and a yellow pom pom, and a red pom pom and a white pom pom. Of course they don't really see a string inside when you show it to them, it is too small and dark inside the sticks to see anything. But in the audience's mind, you just showed the stick to be totally ungimmicked.

Hello Rocky,
THanks for the comments. Ironically, that's virtually the same line I use at that point when separating the stick. And I agree, it does get a good response. I guess I'm trying to figure simply a new angle on the whole thing and am putting out feelers to see if something new surfaces.
Thanks so much

I have used the Hank Moorehouse patter for years.. ..Nothing machine. It is great patter and allows a lot of good audience reaction. I put the sticks back together so how they still really do nothing and say a good tag line.

It works for me.

Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com
[email protected]
Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's.

Hello Richard,
Where could I find the Moorehouse patter? And I'm assuming there's no infringement by using it?
THanks so much.
Michael

It was given in a lecture by Hank. I don't know what set of lecture notes it was in.

It might have also been published in an issue of MUM. I have been doing for twenty years so I can't remember where exactly I got it. But I did ask Hank to use it and he said it was ok as he had given it in a lecture.

Richard E. Hughes, Hughes Magic Inc., 352 N. Prospect St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (330)296-4023
www.hughesmagic.com
[email protected]
Write direct as I will be turning off my PM's.

. I believe it was mentioned in another thread awhile ago about the "fishing pole" pom-pom routine. Instead of the fluffy balls, the cords have a fish hook on one, a bobber on another etc. This complete routine was sold with a speceially prepared popm-pom stick.

Yes, it was sold like that. It was Giovanni's "Fishing Pole" or something like that. I have one, it's very well-made, it's shorter than the average pom-pon pole but bigger in diameter. The sinker, hook, reel and bobber are bigger than usual, so it's very visible. Plays well. Just do what I did, find a little tackle box to carry it, and get a big, floppy, VERY realistic rubber fish, glue a serious magnet into its mouth and you're ready for a killer finish!

Ok. thanks so much.. This is exactly what I was hoping for. some fresh (and in this case. fresh fish) ideas.
Thanks.
And if you've got any more thoughts, don't hesitate to throw them in.

Go to http://www.stevensmagic.com and buy the "Plumber's Sticks" if you want a different approach. (Blatant Plub)

Dick Stoner has expanded on Hank Moorehouse routine for the POM POM sticks. This is the only resouce I currently know of that is available. He supplies it with the POM POM that he sells.

You can contact Dick Stoner at http://www.dickstoner.com or http://www.stoners.com and see if he will sell you the instructions only for this routine. He has been using it in his act for years.

Ali Bongo's original routine is very good also. This came with the Kovari set when he made them.

Thank you so much for the added materials. This is very helpful. I knew there had to be something refreshing for this prop.
I certainly won't frown on additional postings.
Sincerely,
Amazing Carrington

I open my kid's show with the POM-POM(N) stick.

(I am standing there in all seriousness)

I say, "Sorry, I didn't get a chance to do this before the show. I usually practice with this before the show. It's a magician's practice stick. I use it to test out my commands to make sure they are ready for the show."

"See, if I pull on this blue one it's a command for the white one to follow. If I pull on this red one it's a command for the yellow one to follow."

"Now, I don't know whether or not you guys know this but magician's try to trick ya. Yea, really. Every magic trick has a magic move. But the magician doesn't want you to see it.

Did you know that you can't listen and watch at the same time? Well, you can kinda' but your brain can't really process both of those things at once. The magician takes advantage of this. Oh, did you just see the magic move? See watch. now when I pull on the white one the blue one comes up and when I pull on the yellow one the red one comes up. See, I did the magic move while you were listening to me. See how that works."

(While I am saying the above I turn the stick over or sometimes just turn it end for end. I play this with all seriousness. I do it for as long as it takes a kid to figure it out. Sometimes longer than other times)

(Now, when a kid finally yells out and explains that they saw the magic move I say)

"Oh, you saw it. It's pretty good though isn't it. It's hard to watch and listen at the same time huh?"

(As I am saying the above I do the POM-POM stick move while flipping it over.)

"So, anyway, when I pull up on the blue one the yell. white one comes up!? hmmm. let me get that straightened out. Ok, anyway when I pull down on the blue one the red?? What? Wait a minute. Hang on this thing is. "

(Ok, so I didn't write the above as exactly what colors are what but I think you'll get the idea. After I get into the situation I stop talking and start trying to fix the thing by pulling on one and pulling down on another and pulling one half way up and pulling the bottom one back down, flipping the stick end for end and over etc)

The kids by this time are laughing and having fun.

"This thing is messed up. Hey, the wires inside here going back and forth must be tangled up (gone haywire, whatever). Hey, now that you guys know how this thing works would like to see the inside? (pause, thinking) Can you keep a secret? (pause, thinking) Well, I'm a magician I have to keep the secret or I'll lose my license!"

At point I pull it apart and just kind of stare at it in disbelief and relief.

Anyway that's what I do with the POM-POM(N) stick. It works for me.

If you can get hold of it Paul Daniels routine is the best I've seen.

My candle burns at both ends; it will not last the night; but ah, my foes, and oh, my friends - it gives a lovely light!
Edna St. Vincent Millay

John,
Thanks so much for taking the time to explain your routine. It's great!
As I respect your own work and routine, I won't steal it. but it gives me some fresh ideas. That's what it's all about.
Again. thanks.
Michael

On 2005-06-16 10:34, amazingcarrington wrote:
John,
Thanks so much for taking the time to explain your routine. It's great!
As I respect your own work and routine, I won't steal it. but it gives me some fresh ideas. That's what it's all about.
Again. thanks.
Michael

If the routine sets up your character then feel free to use it. I don't think that what you say in the PP stick is as important as the working of the stick itself. It's just an unexplainable piece of magic.

I use it sometimes if the audience is getting ansi but not everyone is present yet. I can draw it out for as long as I want and even if the rest of the audience arrives in the middle of it I can continue a few more times with it.

2. Replaced the pom poms with another prop. How about unbreakable baubles for a Christmas show? Or plastic fruit, sponge balls. almost anything you choose!

It represents the idea that learning is a lifelong process and that students should embrace new ideas and perspectives. Hampshire College encourages students to think outside the box, challenge the status quo, and take risks in their academic pursuits. The spiral is a visual representation of this philosophy, reminding students to stay open-minded and continue evolving. Additionally, the spiral mascot represents the interconnectedness of knowledge and disciplines at Hampshire College. The college's curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary studies and encourages students to explore different fields of study. The spiral reflects the idea that knowledge is not compartmentalized but flows seamlessly between various disciplines. It symbolizes the interconnected web of knowledge that students can access during their academic journey. Hampshire College's choice of a spiral as its mascot is a deliberate departure from conventional college mascots. It aligns with the college's non-traditional and progressive approach to education and acts as a visual reminder of the values and goals of Hampshire College. The spiral, with its symbolism of growth, change, and interdisciplinary thinking, represents the unique nature of the Hampshire College experience..

Reviews for "Hampshire College Mascot Fundraising: Supporting Student Initiatives"

- Emily - 1/5 stars - I am extremely disappointed with Hampshire College's choice for a mascot. The decision to have a mascot that is just a generic, cartoonish animal is unoriginal and lacks any creativity. It feels like they put no effort into coming up with something unique and representative of their school. As an alumna, I expected better from Hampshire College. This mascot is just a letdown.

- Alex - 2/5 stars - Hampshire College's new mascot is a complete miss for me. It lacks any connection or relevance to the school's identity. It looks like a poorly designed character from a children's show. I was hoping for something that would accurately represent Hampshire College's values and spirit, but this mascot falls short in every way. I'm just not impressed.

- Sarah - 1/5 stars - I can't believe Hampshire College would choose such a bland and unoriginal mascot. It's like they didn't even try to think outside the box. I was hoping for something that would evoke a sense of school pride and unity, but this mascot is forgettable and uninspiring. It's a shame that Hampshire College missed the mark so drastically with their choice.

Hampshire College Mascot Rivalries: The Battle for Bragging Rights