Drexel's dragon statue

he Dragon has been the school’s mascot for nearly 80 years; there seems to be no special reason for its selection other than its obvious alliterative appeal. The Dragon represents ferocity and combativeness, desirable qualities in a mascot. Before they became Dragons, the school’s sports teams had been known by a variety of names, including the Blue & Gold, the Engineers, and the Drexelites. The first published reference to the Drexel Dragons appears in a 1928 edition of The Triangle, in an article on the football team; a dragon logo appears on the jerseys of the men’s basketball team in a photo in the 1929 Lexerd. Today, the Drexel Dragon is known as “Mario the Magnificent” in honor of the late Mario Mascioli, class of 1945 and past Board of Trustees Member.

“Meet me at the Dragon”

“Mario the Magnificent,” the bronze statue of the school mascot, the Drexel dragon, is the work of renowned Philadelphia sculptor Eric Berg. The statue and the Dragon Park at 33rd and Market streets were dedicated on December 4, 2002; donations funded 100% of the project. Mario is 14 feet long, ten feet high and weighs 4,100 pounds, on a 17-ton granite base. He is an easily visible landmark at which people can meet, especially when they are unfamiliar with the campus.

Mario the Dragon

“Mario the Magnificent Dragon,” the bronze statue of the school mascot, the Drexel dragon, is the work of renowned Philadelphia sculptor Eric Berg. The statue and the Drexel Dragon Park at 33rd and Market Streets were dedicated on December 4, 2002; donations funded the artwork. Mario is 14 feet long, 10 feet high and weighs 4,100 pounds, on a 17-ton granite base. He is an easily visible landmark at which people can meet, especially when they are unfamiliar with the campus.

The Dragons name, Mario, was adopted in 1997 in recognition of 1945 Alum, Mario V. Mascioli. One of the biggest fans of Drexel Men's Basketball, Mascioli had not missed a single Dragon's game in more than 20 years. In honor of his loyal support of Drexel athletics as well as his professional, public service, and philanthropic accomplishments, the graduation the class of 1997 presented Mascioli with the new costume of the mascot as well as officially dubbing it "Mario the Magnificent." Macioli passed away January 15, 2005.

Source: http://drexel.wikia.com/wiki/Mario_the_Dragon

http://motherboard.vice.com/en_ca/read/someone-will-eventually-use-crispr-to-try-to-make-a-dragon-or-unicorn

http://drexel.edu/studentlife/get_involved/leadership_development/traditions/

Other statues by Eric Berg include