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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Cheap Seats

Well, at least she’s not a Dawg

She’s already a dentist, gymnast and astronaut. Now Barbie’s a Husker, Hoya and Hog.

The winsome doll is getting yet another makeover, with 19 colleges featuring University Barbie decked in school colors.

And she’s no slow student.

“We’ve already sold out one order and placed another order that we’ve already gotten calls for,” said Gwen Plummer, assistant manager at the University of Nebraska.

She said most of the buyers have been women who are interested in collecting the dolls, which all wear a cheerleading outfit with a university logo. A hairbrush and pompoms come with the blond-haired doll, which is sold only in a school’s vicinity.

“I just walked into the store and saw them and thought they were cool, so I bought them,” said student Rosemary Missisian, who bought two Michigan dolls at $21.95 for her nieces, ages 8 and 6. They sell for as much as $28.88 at other schools.

“I’m sure the feminists will be calling, but I think the kids will like it.”

The dolls appeared in stores in late July. The company decided to work with three colors at first: red, blue and orange, she said. The schools that had those colors were chosen first. Then the field was narrowed based on school and stadium size, fan enthusiasm, football and basketball rankings and collegiate licensed product sales.

The 19 schools are: Arkansas, Arizona, Auburn, Clemson, Duke, Florida, Georgia, Georgetown, Illinois, Miami, Michigan, Nebraska, North Carolina State, Oklahoma State, Penn State, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Next year, another three undisclosed colors will be added to the mix.

In the meantime, Barbie’s a hot item.

“We’re down to two dolls and we’ve already done another reorder - it’s going like crazy,” said Yolanda Rosas, merchandising manager for the University of Michigan bookstore.

It appears Barbie’s major is economics.

Rump roast at Hall of Fame

During the Pro Football Hall of Fame ceremonies Terry Bradshaw pulled out a football so that inductee Mike Webster could snap it to him one last time as fans roared with delight.

Explained Bradshaw: “I loved him from the first time I put my hands under his butt.”

Worst of the worst

The Philadelphia Phillies are a bad team. No room for debate there. But as for that argument about who’s worse, the Phillies or the 1962 New York Mets. …

Jayson Stark of the Philadelphia Inquirer used a computer simulator to stage a seven-game series between the ‘62 Mets and the ‘97 Phillies.

“Really?” said Richie Ashburn, a .306 hitter for that Met team after gaining most of his Hall of Fame credentials with the Phillies. “Nobody won, huh?”

Almost. The ‘97 Phillies eked out a 7-6 victory in the 10th inning of the seventh game after a flubbed double-play ball and a throwing error on a grounder - the Mets’ third error.

Betcha Marv Throneberry was involved.

The last word …

“I’m a little bummed out. Evander Holyfield was supposed to be here tonight. He missed his plane. Apparently he said he didn’t hear the boarding announcement.”

- Jay Leno

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo