Johnny Thunderbird is the official mascot of St. John's University since his unveiling on September 18th 2009. He is a red, white and black Thunderbird that stands 6' 3" tall and weighs 195 lbs.
Mascot History
In the early years of intercollegiate competition, St. John’s teams were known as the “Johnnies.” It wasn’t until the 1920’s that “Redmen” was first used and that came about when a reporter used the term after the football team took the field clad in totally red uniforms. The cheerleaders of 1928 began a “war whoop” at games and a search went on for a suitable mascot.
According to several written sources and many an old tale, a group of St. John's University students led by Walter Bruce (Class of 1939) and Michael McNichols (Class of 1931) went out and found the original Redman mascot standing in front of a cigar store. "Chief Blackjack" made his first public appearance in his new position at the St. John's-Catholic University football game at Ebbets Field. When the underdog Redmen went on to a 22-0 victory, there was no turning back. Bruce later admitted that he and others returned and paid for the pilfered mascot.
The decision was made to change the "Redmen" nickname in 1994. At the time, colleges nationwide were becoming more sensitive to mounting Native American concerns in reference to collegiate and professional team nicknames that reference Native American culture. Although the nickname "Redmen" was instituted because the athletes at St. John's wore red, and did not have an original basis in Native American culture, it did evolve into a nickname that referenced Native American symbology. St. John's wanted to make a change that would stay true to its tradition, but also be distinctive and unique. Thus, the new nickname St. John's Red Storm was born.
After the Redmen mascot and nickname were changed, St. John’s Athletics came out with a new Horse mascot named Thunder and a side kick named Lightning. He was a red horse that wore a t-shirt with a St. John’s logo on its chest. Because of the fans unresponsiveness, Thunder was taken out to pasture after eight years at St. John’s.
Creation
The St. John’s University Athletic Marketing Department decided over the summer in 2008 to begin their mascot search. After the University approved the proposal, it was through many student engagement meetings and surveys that the Athletic Marketing Department narrowed its choices down from 20 to six.
Paying tribute to the previously dropped mascot, the "Redmen" and mixing in the 1994 created "Red Storm" nickname, the Thunderbird was defined as follows during the original fan voting: A mythological spirit of thunder and lightning believed by some Native Americans to take the shape of a great bird. Boasting feathers as long as a canoe, the legendary thunderbird can generate lightning, thunder and great winds by flapping its wings and blinking its eyes. The choices fans could chose between are as follows:
• Thunderbolt: A traditional expression for lightning or a symbolic representation, a thunderbolt has been a powerful symbol throughout history, and has appeared numerous times in mythology. Drawing from this powerful association, the thunderbolt is often found in military symbolism and is often depicted as the weapon of any deity associated with the stormy sky.
• Thunderbird: A mythological spirit of thunder and lightning believed by some Native Americans to take the shape of a great bird - which would be a tribute to St. John’s Redmen history. Boasting feathers as long as a canoe, the legendary thunderbird can generate lightning, thunder and great winds by flapping its wings and blinking its eyes.
• Red Storm Dog: The Red Storm dog is a faithful, loyal and protective companion. The dog can be fierce, to represent the fighting spirit of the St. John’s athletic teams, yet friendly enough to appeal to St. John’s younger fans.
• Storm Hero: Dressed in St. John’s colors and adorned with thunderbolts, this superhero exudes strength, courage, confidence and tenacity.
• Red Storm Bear: Black bears are native to New York State and can be some of the fiercest animals in the world. Bears are also animals generally revered by Native Americans, paying homage to St. John’s Redmen history.
• Thunder Horse: A redesigned and improved version of “Thunder,” the horse mascot of the 1990s. Thunder was the only lasting mascot to replace the St. John’s Redman but was discontinued in the early 2000s. The “Red Storm” name can be associated with the sound of a thundering herd of horses running together.
The Thunderbird was chosen during a 12-day span between April 23 and May 4 2009, when more than 11,000 votes were cast on RedStormSports.com to decide among the six Red Storm mascot finalists. The Thunderbird mascot was unveiled September 18th, 2009 as an unnamed Thunderbird mascot during a home soccer match.
The St. John's Thunderbird was created by Olympus Inc., renowned nationally as the mascot costume industry's premier designer. Olympus has manufactured a wide variety of corporate, entertainment and university mascot costumes. Highly visible mascot costumes, including Ronald McDonald, Tony the Tiger, The University of Wisconsin Badger and The University of Florida Gator have been designed and manufactured using the Olympus design team's creative expertise.
Naming of Johnny Thunderbird
Once the new Red Storm Thunderbird mascot was unveiled, the St. John’s Marketing Department hosted a week-long St. John's student vote to name it. One has been officially named "Johnny the Thunderbird," paying tribute to three eras of what is more than a century-old athletics tradition. The student-chosen name "Johnny" is, in fact, a reference to the first days of St. John's Athletics. At the turn of the century during the early years of intercollegiate competition, St. John's teams were actually known as the "Johnnies."
Today
Today Johnny Thunderbird has his own facebook page and Kid's Club. Johnny Thunderbird made his network television debut March 25, 2010 when he appeared on the Jimmy Fallon show. Johnny has also had his own Thunderbird bobble head as a game giveaway. He stands out as a new era at St. John's University and is recognized all around campus.
Mascot History
In the early years of intercollegiate competition, St. John’s teams were known as the “Johnnies.” It wasn’t until the 1920’s that “Redmen” was first used and that came about when a reporter used the term after the football team took the field clad in totally red uniforms. The cheerleaders of 1928 began a “war whoop” at games and a search went on for a suitable mascot.
According to several written sources and many an old tale, a group of St. John's University students led by Walter Bruce (Class of 1939) and Michael McNichols (Class of 1931) went out and found the original Redman mascot standing in front of a cigar store. "Chief Blackjack" made his first public appearance in his new position at the St. John's-Catholic University football game at Ebbets Field. When the underdog Redmen went on to a 22-0 victory, there was no turning back. Bruce later admitted that he and others returned and paid for the pilfered mascot.
The decision was made to change the "Redmen" nickname in 1994. At the time, colleges nationwide were becoming more sensitive to mounting Native American concerns in reference to collegiate and professional team nicknames that reference Native American culture. Although the nickname "Redmen" was instituted because the athletes at St. John's wore red, and did not have an original basis in Native American culture, it did evolve into a nickname that referenced Native American symbology. St. John's wanted to make a change that would stay true to its tradition, but also be distinctive and unique. Thus, the new nickname St. John's Red Storm was born.
After the Redmen mascot and nickname were changed, St. John’s Athletics came out with a new Horse mascot named Thunder and a side kick named Lightning. He was a red horse that wore a t-shirt with a St. John’s logo on its chest. Because of the fans unresponsiveness, Thunder was taken out to pasture after eight years at St. John’s.
Creation
The St. John’s University Athletic Marketing Department decided over the summer in 2008 to begin their mascot search. After the University approved the proposal, it was through many student engagement meetings and surveys that the Athletic Marketing Department narrowed its choices down from 20 to six.
Paying tribute to the previously dropped mascot, the "Redmen" and mixing in the 1994 created "Red Storm" nickname, the Thunderbird was defined as follows during the original fan voting: A mythological spirit of thunder and lightning believed by some Native Americans to take the shape of a great bird. Boasting feathers as long as a canoe, the legendary thunderbird can generate lightning, thunder and great winds by flapping its wings and blinking its eyes. The choices fans could chose between are as follows:
• Thunderbolt: A traditional expression for lightning or a symbolic representation, a thunderbolt has been a powerful symbol throughout history, and has appeared numerous times in mythology. Drawing from this powerful association, the thunderbolt is often found in military symbolism and is often depicted as the weapon of any deity associated with the stormy sky.
• Thunderbird: A mythological spirit of thunder and lightning believed by some Native Americans to take the shape of a great bird - which would be a tribute to St. John’s Redmen history. Boasting feathers as long as a canoe, the legendary thunderbird can generate lightning, thunder and great winds by flapping its wings and blinking its eyes.
• Red Storm Dog: The Red Storm dog is a faithful, loyal and protective companion. The dog can be fierce, to represent the fighting spirit of the St. John’s athletic teams, yet friendly enough to appeal to St. John’s younger fans.
• Storm Hero: Dressed in St. John’s colors and adorned with thunderbolts, this superhero exudes strength, courage, confidence and tenacity.
• Red Storm Bear: Black bears are native to New York State and can be some of the fiercest animals in the world. Bears are also animals generally revered by Native Americans, paying homage to St. John’s Redmen history.
• Thunder Horse: A redesigned and improved version of “Thunder,” the horse mascot of the 1990s. Thunder was the only lasting mascot to replace the St. John’s Redman but was discontinued in the early 2000s. The “Red Storm” name can be associated with the sound of a thundering herd of horses running together.
The Thunderbird was chosen during a 12-day span between April 23 and May 4 2009, when more than 11,000 votes were cast on RedStormSports.com to decide among the six Red Storm mascot finalists. The Thunderbird mascot was unveiled September 18th, 2009 as an unnamed Thunderbird mascot during a home soccer match.
The St. John's Thunderbird was created by Olympus Inc., renowned nationally as the mascot costume industry's premier designer. Olympus has manufactured a wide variety of corporate, entertainment and university mascot costumes. Highly visible mascot costumes, including Ronald McDonald, Tony the Tiger, The University of Wisconsin Badger and The University of Florida Gator have been designed and manufactured using the Olympus design team's creative expertise.
Naming of Johnny Thunderbird
Once the new Red Storm Thunderbird mascot was unveiled, the St. John’s Marketing Department hosted a week-long St. John's student vote to name it. One has been officially named "Johnny the Thunderbird," paying tribute to three eras of what is more than a century-old athletics tradition. The student-chosen name "Johnny" is, in fact, a reference to the first days of St. John's Athletics. At the turn of the century during the early years of intercollegiate competition, St. John's teams were actually known as the "Johnnies."
Today
Today Johnny Thunderbird has his own facebook page and Kid's Club. Johnny Thunderbird made his network television debut March 25, 2010 when he appeared on the Jimmy Fallon show. Johnny has also had his own Thunderbird bobble head as a game giveaway. He stands out as a new era at St. John's University and is recognized all around campus.
Dedh Ishqiya () is the rumoured title to the sequel of Ishqiya an Indian film which starred Arshad Warsi, Vidya Balan, Naseeruddin Shah, and Salman Shahid in the lead roles. This sequel is again going to be directed by Abhishek Chaubey and is being produced by Vishal Bharadwaj. Rumours has it that the new script demands a new character in the story and Abhishek Chaubey is keen on signing Madhuri Dixit. While Arshad Warsi, Vidya Balan and Naseeruddin Shah are going to return for the sequel, association of Madhuri Dixit with this movie is still uncertain. The film starts shooting by the end of next year.
This movie is set in Mumbai, while its predecessor was set in Gorakhpur of Uttar Pradesh. Vidya Balan will be seen playing a character of an urban woman who is ready to break all the social norms.
This movie is set in Mumbai, while its predecessor was set in Gorakhpur of Uttar Pradesh. Vidya Balan will be seen playing a character of an urban woman who is ready to break all the social norms.
Matt Jelly is an activist and multi-disciplinary artist from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. He was a candidate in the Hamilton, Ontario municipal election, 2010 for the seat of Ward 2 Councillor and finished 2nd out of 20, with 18.72% (1434 votes). His activism focuses on municipal community issues in Hamilton. He has undertaken such projects as a mayoral campaign in 2003, By-Law Crawls in which he leads community members to sites of concern around the city with aim of creating awareness that will lead to positive changes and Garbage Crawls in which he organizes and leads volunteers to actually clean up the city. He was nominated for 2010 Royal Bank Hamilton Distinguished Citizen of the Year award.
Biography
He grew up west of downtown and graduated from Westdale Secondary School. It was during a civics class that Matt first debated an elected official: long-time Hamilton mayor Bob Morrow. The debate was over the Red Hill Creek Expressway, which Matt opposed. Matt attended Mohawk College, taking his first classes on 11 September 2001 but did not complete his studies. He walked and hitchhiked through Mexico for four months in 2003.
Art
His artistic work has included theater, painting and currently involves a vocals/electronica solo act. He has released two EPs: Appropriation EP and Unofficial EP. The Hamilton Music Awards' rated placed him runner-up in 2008 and second runner-up in 2009 for Poster Artist of the Year. His paintings have shown in galleries in Hamilton.
Professional Citizen
His 2003 mayoral campaign was unique in that it was not about winning votes. He opposed the Red Hill Creek Expressway, citing the plan's environmental drawbacks. Amalgamation and Red Hill were easily the two most prominent issues in the election. He was known for ending his campaign speeches with the line, "Don't vote for me, thank you and good night". His "Don't Vote For Me" campaign was massively successful in that more people did not vote for him than did vote for any other candidate.
As a community organizer he brings together volunteers for both By-Law Crawls, in which he leads community members to sites of concern around the city with aim of creating awareness that will lead to positive changes, and Garbage Crawls in which he organizes and leads volunteers to actually clean up the city. In July 2010, after discovering unsealed barrels of toxic waste in an abandoned building, he blew the whistle, obliging the municipal government to act. He was enshrined in a political cartoon in the Hamilton Spectator on July 28, 2010 in response.
He was a candidate in the Hamilton, Ontario municipal election, 2010 for the seat of Ward 2 Councillor and finished 2nd out of 20, with 18.72% (1434 votes). He was 173 votes short of Jason Farr.
Biography
He grew up west of downtown and graduated from Westdale Secondary School. It was during a civics class that Matt first debated an elected official: long-time Hamilton mayor Bob Morrow. The debate was over the Red Hill Creek Expressway, which Matt opposed. Matt attended Mohawk College, taking his first classes on 11 September 2001 but did not complete his studies. He walked and hitchhiked through Mexico for four months in 2003.
Art
His artistic work has included theater, painting and currently involves a vocals/electronica solo act. He has released two EPs: Appropriation EP and Unofficial EP. The Hamilton Music Awards' rated placed him runner-up in 2008 and second runner-up in 2009 for Poster Artist of the Year. His paintings have shown in galleries in Hamilton.
Professional Citizen
His 2003 mayoral campaign was unique in that it was not about winning votes. He opposed the Red Hill Creek Expressway, citing the plan's environmental drawbacks. Amalgamation and Red Hill were easily the two most prominent issues in the election. He was known for ending his campaign speeches with the line, "Don't vote for me, thank you and good night". His "Don't Vote For Me" campaign was massively successful in that more people did not vote for him than did vote for any other candidate.
As a community organizer he brings together volunteers for both By-Law Crawls, in which he leads community members to sites of concern around the city with aim of creating awareness that will lead to positive changes, and Garbage Crawls in which he organizes and leads volunteers to actually clean up the city. In July 2010, after discovering unsealed barrels of toxic waste in an abandoned building, he blew the whistle, obliging the municipal government to act. He was enshrined in a political cartoon in the Hamilton Spectator on July 28, 2010 in response.
He was a candidate in the Hamilton, Ontario municipal election, 2010 for the seat of Ward 2 Councillor and finished 2nd out of 20, with 18.72% (1434 votes). He was 173 votes short of Jason Farr.
David Di Sabatino (born 1966) is a Canadian author and documentary filmmaker who has produced and directed Frisbee: The Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher, which chronicled the story of Lonnie Frisbee in 2005, and Fallen Angel: The Outlaw Larry Norman, which depicted Christian musician Larry Norman, in 2009.
Background and Education
Di Sabatino was born in Canada in 1966, and raised in North York in the Italian Pentecostal Church of Canada (IPCC) (now the Canadian Assemblies of God), which is part of the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America.
Di Sabatino attended the , and attended graduate school at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.
Career
Di Sabatino wrote the "Gadfly" column for the website canadianchristianity.com, and was later an editor of Worship Leader Magazine.
In 2009 Di Sabatino released a controversial documentary, Fallen Angel: The Outlaw Larry Norman, about Christian musician Larry Norman. Norman, and his ex-wife, refused to cooperate in the making of the film. A cease and desist notice initiated by Norman's family temporarily prevented the public display of Fallen Angel, and prompted Di Sabatino to file his own lawsuit against Norman's Solid Rock on 20 March 2009. On 6 July 2009 the case was settled out of court, thus allowing the film to be shown.
Works
* The Jesus People Movement: An Annotated Bibliography and General Resource. Bibliographies and Indexes in Religious Studies 49. Westport, CT: Greenwood-Heinemann Publishing, 1999. ISBN 978-0313302688 2nd ed. Jester Media, 2003. ISBN- 978-0979074011
Articles
* "The Delicate Art of Songwriting: An Interview with Bob Bennett". Worship Leader (July/August 2001):34-36.
* "History of the Jesus Movement", (November 1997).
* "Is there One Particular Style of Worship that God Desires?: The Elasticity of Transcendence".
* "Jesus People are Gone but Their Legacy Lives On - Part II". The Endeavour (May/June 1995):3.
* "Jesus People Caught Many By Surprise - Part I." The Endeavour (April 1995):3-4.
* "Jesus People: The '60s Intriguing Offspring". Christian Week (14 February 1995):10.
* "Lonnie Frisbee: A Modern Day Samson". In Bill Jackson, The Quest for the Radical Middle: A History of the Vineyard, 377-391. Vineyard International Publishing, 1999.
* "Putting the Fun Back into Fundamentalism". shipoffools.com. (1999).
* "Why I Would Follow Bono Into Hell...and why evangelicals should listen to him and join U2's worldwide evangelistic outreach". PRISM magazine (14 September 2002).
Filmography
* Frisbee: The Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher (2005)
* Fallen Angel: The Outlaw Larry Norman (2009)
Background and Education
Di Sabatino was born in Canada in 1966, and raised in North York in the Italian Pentecostal Church of Canada (IPCC) (now the Canadian Assemblies of God), which is part of the Pentecostal/Charismatic Churches of North America.
Di Sabatino attended the , and attended graduate school at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario.
Career
Di Sabatino wrote the "Gadfly" column for the website canadianchristianity.com, and was later an editor of Worship Leader Magazine.
In 2009 Di Sabatino released a controversial documentary, Fallen Angel: The Outlaw Larry Norman, about Christian musician Larry Norman. Norman, and his ex-wife, refused to cooperate in the making of the film. A cease and desist notice initiated by Norman's family temporarily prevented the public display of Fallen Angel, and prompted Di Sabatino to file his own lawsuit against Norman's Solid Rock on 20 March 2009. On 6 July 2009 the case was settled out of court, thus allowing the film to be shown.
Works
* The Jesus People Movement: An Annotated Bibliography and General Resource. Bibliographies and Indexes in Religious Studies 49. Westport, CT: Greenwood-Heinemann Publishing, 1999. ISBN 978-0313302688 2nd ed. Jester Media, 2003. ISBN- 978-0979074011
Articles
* "The Delicate Art of Songwriting: An Interview with Bob Bennett". Worship Leader (July/August 2001):34-36.
* "History of the Jesus Movement", (November 1997).
* "Is there One Particular Style of Worship that God Desires?: The Elasticity of Transcendence".
* "Jesus People are Gone but Their Legacy Lives On - Part II". The Endeavour (May/June 1995):3.
* "Jesus People Caught Many By Surprise - Part I." The Endeavour (April 1995):3-4.
* "Jesus People: The '60s Intriguing Offspring". Christian Week (14 February 1995):10.
* "Lonnie Frisbee: A Modern Day Samson". In Bill Jackson, The Quest for the Radical Middle: A History of the Vineyard, 377-391. Vineyard International Publishing, 1999.
* "Putting the Fun Back into Fundamentalism". shipoffools.com. (1999).
* "Why I Would Follow Bono Into Hell...and why evangelicals should listen to him and join U2's worldwide evangelistic outreach". PRISM magazine (14 September 2002).
Filmography
* Frisbee: The Life and Death of a Hippie Preacher (2005)
* Fallen Angel: The Outlaw Larry Norman (2009)