You've probably been asked this question an unspeakable amount of times if you have any affiliation with Manhattan College, located in the Bronx, New York. When it comes to sports, a jasper is not very common in the mascot world (hard to believe, I know). We are one of the many schools that does not have a costumed mascot dancing and parading around the court during basketball games. The opposing teams at sporting events have even begun to chant the question, "what's a jasper". So instead of making up some sort of hybrid animal or laughing the question away, answer with this:
First things first: a jasper is NOT a thing or an animal, he's a person (a Brother to be exact). According to Manhattan College's website, Brother Jasper came to Manhattan College to serve as the prefect of students in the year 1861. Aside from founding the school's first band, orchestra, glee club, and literacy club, he was also the school's first athletic director. His involvement with the students is something that is still admired by staff to this day.
Since these accomplishments simply were not enough for him, Brother Jasper also decided to bring the beloved sport of baseball to Manhattan College in 1863, making him the team's very first coach. According to MC's history, on a noticeably warm day in June of 1882, the Manhattan baseball team was playing a semi-pro team called the Metropolitans. As the bottom of the seventh inning approached, Coach/Brother Jasper noticed his players seemed out of it and became very fidgety. He called a timeout and demanded the crowd and the players stand up and stretch their legs. Pleased with what he saw, Brother Jasper continued to do this, making the seventh inning stretch a tradition at all of Manhattan's baseball games. The team carried this tradition with them wherever they played, not just on the home field. During one particular game when Manhattan played the New York Giants, the fans (even on the opposing team) joined in. Word spread and the seventh inning stretch worked its way into the major league, causing it to be practiced by millions of fans to this day. Major league teams such as the New York Yankees have developed their own traditions within the seventh inning stretch (playing the popular song the "YMCA)".
So next time you attend a major league baseball game, take advantage of the seventh inning stretch (perhaps by taking a food or bathroom break). Take a moment and tip your cap to Brother Jasper. His unique idea is still practiced today around the nation and as students at Manhattan College, we should be proud of our mascot and be able to answer the dreaded question with confidence.
