The Philadelphia Flyers’ new mascot, Gritty, has had its detractors lately. Here’s some of what CRR Matt Robinson, self-appointed CEO of Creek Road Runners, has to say about the wild-eyed, orange-haired dude on skates.
“In relation to a mascot being a part of the brand, there are many success stories of the use of a mascot as an attachment point for a franchise,” Robinson said. “See the Phillie Phanatic or, even more interesting, Mr. Celery with the Wilmington Blue Rocks.”
Robinson also pointed out the fun fact that the original Phillie Phanatic, [University of Delaware] grad David Raymond, was involved with Gritty’s design and implementation.
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Yesterday, incoming University of Delaware president Dennis Assanis named Christine Rawak as the University of Delaware’s new athletic director, replacing interim AD and CRR Matt Robinson. This allows Robinson to return to his faculty role as director of UD’s Sport Management Program and his “primary responsibility” as self-appointed CEO of the Creek Road Runners. “My thanks to…Matt Robinson for steering us through this time of change in Athletics,” Assanis said. “His deep knowledge of athletics issues and his personal leadership were invaluable to the department and to the University.”
Maybe now in his new role (while he’s there), he can do for UD what he’s done over the past several years for Creek Road Runners—provide hands-off leadership. However, having said that, for his first order of business, most Creek Road Runners feel strongly that his first and foremost order of business should be to right a wrong by reinstating the men’s DI running programs at UD and bringing back beloved former UD coach and CRR Jim Fischer.