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For Immediate Release
September 15, 2003
OUR GAMES HAVE NO NAME!
NEBRASKA WESLEYAN LAUNCHES CONTEST TO RENAME EVENT AFTER U.S. OLYMPIC
COMMITTEE CRACKDOWN
LINCOLN, Neb. —Students at Nebraska Wesleyan
University have thrown in their rat towels and are launching a contest
to rename one its most popular campus events.
For 29 years, the event — temporarily being
referred to as “the event formerly known as the Rat Olympics”—
has been the capstone project to a behavior science class in which
furry white rats compete for gold and grub in five competitive events.
In January, the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) demanded the university
change the name of its “Rat Olympics” since the word
“Olympics” is a trademark of the USOC.
Today, Nebraska Wesleyan University launched a
contest to seek input on a new name.
“However, since January, we have received
numerous suggestions from people across the country,” said
Sara Olson, public relations director. “While we’re
disappointed about changing the name, we hope others will enjoy
the opportunity to participate in this tongue-in-cheek competition.”
A grand prize will be awarded to the winner who
will be announced — along with the new name — at this
year’s rat competition on Thursday, December 4.
Those who want to submit a name suggestion can
go to the Nebraska Wesleyan rat website at rats.nebrwesleyan.edu,
login as a guest and click on the “rat controversy”
tab. Participants can also see others’ suggestions and rank
their favorites. In addition, the website introduces this year’s
student and rat competitors, provides training updates, interviews
with the trainees, and little known rat facts. There are also lesson
plans for high school teachers who want to incorporate rat-related
psychology exercises into their classrooms.
The renaming contest will conclude on October 31st.
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