Mascots of civility

by: Carnacki

Wed May 20, 2009 at 10:26:24 AM EDT

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- If Marco and the Mountaineer can live in harmony, is there hope for fans of the Thundering Herd and the Blue and Gold?

Marshall University's Trey Barker and West Virginia University's Rebecca Durst, each the mascot for their university, grew up together in Point Pleasant and share a long friendship. Both are 20 years old.

First, both attended kindergarten at Roosevelt Elementary School in Mason County, Barker said.

On the first day of school, their friendship blossomed after one little incident.

"I guess she thought I was cute," Barker said. "She kissed me on the cheek and I ran up the hallway and told a teacher."

I'm nearly certain this is one of the signs of the impending apocalypse.

Let me consult my Nostradamus:

Sitting alone at night in secret study;
I have seen on the brass tripod.
A slight flame comes out of the emptiness and
makes successful that which should not be believed in vain.
Thundering Marco and Thunderous Mountain Dweller
Shall clasp hands in a season of championships
And victorious shall be their endeavors.

Nostradamus can be kind of vague and difficult to interpret.