but I feel I would be letting my teammates and my country dow

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Do you prefer Chicagos Benny the Bull or Bostons Wally the Green Monster? The deviousness of Arizona States Sparky the Sun Devil or the goofiness of South Carolinas Cocky? Or maybe youre more traditional, and like Penn States Nittany Lion. If youre offbeat, go for Stanfords Tree.Those are among the choices people could have when the Mascot Hall of Fame announces its ballot of six candidates for the hall at a groundbreaking ceremony Friday in northwestern Indiana. After more than a decade of existing only online, the mascots are getting a place to flock together somewhere other than sidelines, ESPN commercials or the Capital One Mascot Challenge.Sam Weyen thinks the hall shall never see a mascot more lovely than the Stanford Tree.What other mascot strikes as much joy in the hearts of fans as it does creepy fear? We have a monopoly on that, said the symbolic systems major from Suwanee, Georgia, who has been the Tree since February. I cant think of a more iconic mascot and one that has been kicked out of so many stadiums as well.The Tree is not officially the universitys mascot -- its the mascot of the band known for its irreverence and has been banned from several stadiums for several years.Dave Johnson, who was Penn States Nittany Lion from 2005 to 2007, believes that mascot should be inducted because of simplicity and tradition. Its stuck to the same basic look since the 1920s.When you think of a college mascot, a lot of these other mascots ... theyre kind of gimmicky. Theyve got the inflatable mascots bouncing around, all that type of thing, and theyre limited in what they can do, Johnson said. In the ever-changing landscape of college campuses, the lion is always the same.The Mascot Hall of Fame will be built in Whiting, a city along Lake Michigan best known for its oil refinery and its Pierogi Fest -- a weekend event in July that celebrates Polish dumplings. More than 250,000 people take part in pierogi eating contests, pierogi tosses and polkas.David Raymond, the original Phillie Phanatic and the halls founder, said the city 20 miles southeast of Chicago is the perfect site for two reasons: It was willing to put up $7 million for the building and its 5,000 residents embrace quirky.Their brand is the little wacky city that could, so they embrace the silliness of this project, Raymond said.Mayor Joseph Stahura said the hall is being financed through tax increment financing and is part of a plan to try to establish the city as one- or two-day tourist destination. A sustainability study says the hall should draw 50,000 visitors a year, he said.The idea for the hall was sparked by a 2003 incident of mascot abuse. Sports fans nationwide were shocked when Pittsburgh first baseman Randall Simon used a bat to fell one of the four Racing Sausages during a Milwaukee Brewers game in the bop heard round the world.Simon, who said he did not deliberately try to knock down the Italian sausage, was cited for disorderly conduct.We as a group in our office said we really should take advantage of this, have some fun with it, but also promote the fact that mascots sometimes arent getting the respect they deserve, Raymond said.That led to the creation of a mascot bill of rights , a mascot march in Philadelphia and the creation of the online hall. The inaugural class of the Phillie Phanatic, the Famous Chicken (aka the San Diego Chicken) and the Phoenix Gorilla was inducted in 2005.To date, 10 pro and seven collegiate mascots have been inducted. The pro honorees include Mr. Met, KC Wolf of the Kansas City Chiefs and Rocky of the Denver Nuggets. The college legends include Ohio States Brutus Buckeye, Wisconsins Bucky the Badger and Tennessees Smokey.Not all mascots are eligible for the hall, just the fully costumed kind. Raymond said the hall organizers may recognize human and animal mascots eventually in some way. Members of the hall are selected through voting by the public online, lifetime hall voting members (comes with a $50 donation) and an executive committee.Weyen said even if selected, the Tree doesnt belong in the hall.I would stipulate it has to be outside because trees dont like to be inside, he said. Custom Eddie Murray Jersey . Radwanska, making her debut in the Seoul tournament, hit eight aces in a match that lasted 1 hour, 4 minutes at Olympic Park tennis stadium. "It was definitely a very good match -- I was playing really good tennis," Radwanska said. Custom Roberto Alomar Jersey . -- Team after team passed on Andre Ellington in the draft. http://www.customoriolesjersey.com/custom-frank-robinson-jersey-large-188a.html . The quest begins with what is supposed to be an easy one, although Germany has traditionally been a stubborn opponent to Canadian teams at international tournaments. Custom Jim Palmer Jersey .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. Custom Earl Weaver Jersey . -- Vincent Lecavalier got everything but the desired result in his return to Tampa Bay.Harlequins prop Joe Marler has made himself unavailable for selection for England’s Test against Wales and three-Test tour to Australia. Marler has established himself as a key player in Eddie Jones squad and featured in all five of their Grand Slam matches in the Six Nations. Joe Marler was banned for two weeks for kicking an opponent during Harlequins European Challenge Cup win against Grenoble But he has also courted controversy in recent months for a couple of on-field incidents. First he was given a two-match ban for offensive comments made to Wales forward Samson Lee, before serving a two-week ban in April after committing an act of foul play during Harlequins win over Grenoble in the Challenge Cup.Having discussed his immediate future with Jones, Marler - who has won 42 caps - has decided to take time out from international rugby.It has been a very enjoyable but sometimes difficult season, Marler said in an official RFU statement. Marler will take some time out from international rugby After speaking to Eddie in Brighton, I have decided that the best thing for me is to take a rest and not go to Australia.Whenever you pplay for England, you have to be 100% and unfortunately Im not in that place at the moment.dddddddddddd Its not a decision Ive come to lightly, but I feel I would be letting my teammates and my country down if I were to tour. I think a short rest will really help me recharge my batteries so I can start next season with the energy and focus thats needed to perform at the highest level.Jones himself offered his backing to Marlers decision and insisted he still has a big future with England.Joe played brilliantly during the Six Nations and he will be a big loss in Australia, said Jones. Watch our exclusive interview with England head coach Eddie Jones Joe knows better than anyone what it takes to be part of a winning international team and he obviously doesnt feel like hes quite there at the moment.We fully support Joes difficult decision and admire his honesty.Hes a young man with a very bright future. Theres no doubt in my mind hell use this time wisely and come back feeling refreshed and ready to be part of England again.Watch England v Wales on May 29. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 3 HD at 2:30pm. Also See: Jones: No contact with Armitage Itoje lands European award Itoje lands European award RPA supports Six Nations move ' ' '