This cat’s cradled

Players and coaches will come and go from Washington State University, but one thing remains the same at Cougars games from season to season: Butch the Cougar.

This furry mascot is a constant at Cougars athletic events. For Butch, today’s football game against No. 1 USC provides a little extra inspiration.

Win or lose, Butch is guaranteed to draw the cheers of Washington State fans. He was kind enough to break his usual silence this week to talk to The Spokesman-Review.

S-R: What’s the best part about being Butch?

BtC: I can do anything I want to whomever I want and no one can mess with me. I’ve gone up to the biggest, burliest football players, sat between them and their girlfriend and started climbing on the girlfriend. They can’t do anything about it. I’ve taken their hats off, messed with them. It’s better than a suit of armor.

S-R: Do you have any pre-game routines?

BtC: I get there early, earlier than anyone else. I find out when most of the people have to be in and I show up an hour earlier. That gives me time to myself, to walk around. I like to go out to the field and look around at the empty stands.

S-R: Are you intimidated by any of your mascot brethren?

BtC: No. None. I am the man. I take them all.

S-R: Have you had any good fights with other mascots lately?

BtC: At New Mexico, their mascot was starting to give me a little bit of a hassle right in front of our big alumni tent. He started coming over and howling. I was on the other side of the tent, went over there and stared him down. Everyone was cheering me on. With one finger, I moved him away and everybody went nuts.

S-R: A little extra emotion this week with USC coming to town?

BtC: Oh, yeah. You’ve got the No. 1 team and a chance to beat them since they’re in the cold for the first time.

S-R: The Trojan warrior has a horse, Traveler, that he rides around on. You have a long tail. Which one is better?

BtC: The tail. It’s a lot more versatile. You can tame the tail. Plus, horses smell funny.