Merry Christmas from Bull Run!

Are we making this an annual thing? I think we are. Merry Christmas to you, your families, and any other loved ones, Bulls Fans.

***

'Twas the night before Christmas, the Eve in Amherst
Not a player was stirring, not even the worst.
The stockings were hung by the scoreboard with care,
In hopes that Victor E. Bull soon would be there;
Student-athletes nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of championships danc'd in their heads,
And White in his office, and Leipold Whitewater,
Had us excited for the old alma mater -
When out on the turf there arose such a clatter,
Up, up from Alumni to see what was the matter.
Away to the stadium they ran with luck,
If Santa can make it, why couldn't Kent's truck?
The moon on the glint of the new fallen snow,
Gave the luster of trophies to objects below;
When, what to their wondering eyes should seem,
But an azure sleigh, and eight massive Bulls,
With familiar driver, now dressed in blue wool,
They knew in a moment it must be Victor E..
More rapid than Redden his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and call'd them by name:
"Now! Jack, now! Burke, now! Leipold and Peel,
"On! Bashor, on! Sun'hara, on! Stutzman and Nickell;
"To the top of the MAC! To the top of the Nation!
"Now #HornsUp! #HornsUp! #HornsUp in jubilation!"
As three point shots from offensive perimeter fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky;
So up over LaSalle the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of blue - and Victor E. too:
And then in a twinkling, they heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each bovine hoof
As they looked out the windows, preparing for the MAC,
Round the hallways came mascot from the back
He was dress'd all in blue, "one" on his jersey,
Ready with the presents; he moved in a hurry;
Bundles of wins were flung o'er his shoulder,
And ready for championships, he's only getting older:
His eyes - how they twinkled! His nose ring: how merry,
His cheeks were like roses, his horns like cherries;
His face ablaze with Buffalo fervor, calling out to UB,
Stamping his hooves; ‘Let's go get more trophies.'
NFL draft memories he held tight in his mind,
And the year behind him brought his spirit alive.
He had a broad face, and great fiery eyes,
Looking for victories over Griffs, Eagles, and Bonnies:
He was fit and lean, right strapping in Blue,
Bobcats lurch'd when he saw him, as if with the flu;
A wink of his eye and the roar of the crowd
Soon convinced him of upcoming bowls - how loud!
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And fill'd all the lockers; then turn'd with a jerk,
And laying the wins all through the year,
And giving a nod, through the whole season, you hear?
He sprung to his sleigh, his team gave a snort,
And away they all flew, the champions of sport:
But we heard him exclaim, as he tipped his hat -
"One-oh-nine and six? We could get used to that!"

***