Mandi Mooney
Editor-in-Chief
April 22, 2005
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“Jerry” the buffalo seen bolted to
its perch just above the entrance to the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse. “Jerry” was
given to Milligan by the Shelor Chevrolet Corp. of Virginia in December
2003.
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After two weeks of Milligan’s college mascot “missing in action,” the stuffed buffalo was returned to campus, although it reappeared in a slightly different location.
“Jerry” the buffalo was discovered hanging from the ceiling of Seeger Chapel just before last Tuesday morning’s convocation that honored leaders in Christian service. It was stolen from the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse on March 27.
Junior Amy Batchelor was working with the housekeeping staff for work study in the chapel while the buffalo was being removed. “I just saw wires, but I didn’t inspect it closely,” Batchelor said. “It was tied up with wires and rope. I thought it was kind of funny.”
The buffalo was removed by the maintenance staff before the beginning of the ceremony, but students were informed of the mascot’s return by fliers posted around campus. In the fliers, Deep Six, a mysterious group, claimed responsibility for the theft.
“It was not a prank - this is vandalism and breaking and entering,” said Dean of Students Mark Fox. “(It’s) possible that some other charges will come.”
Fox was not able to comment on the police investigation, but the theft is being examined by the Elizabethton Police Department.
In a letter to The Stampede, "Deep Six" accepted responsibility for the theft and detailed their participation because they “deem it necessary to clear our name of the blemishes printed nationwide concerning our treatment of the Buffalo and Milligan’s facilities.” They claim that every part of the prank was carefully planned and that they did not cause any damage to the chapel or the buffalo.
Deep Six asserts that they are “solely committed to the ‘physical, spiritual and emotional well-being of buffaloes.”
The account of the buffalo’s theft and return to campus has been spread across the country by the Associated Press, newspapers and other media outlets.
Fox is not yet certain if the buffalo will be restored to its position in the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse.
“We hesitate to do anything if it is going to lead to criminal activity,” Fox said.
The stuffed animal is 7 feet tall, 9 feet long, 4 feet wide, weighs one ton and is worth $16,000.