Here’s an amazing 1953 story about Morris Chick, one of the players scolded by L.E. Zieger in 1920 as “a bunch of Spoofhounds,” who wound up with one of the plaster casts of a Spoofhound that was sold during the dedication of the Liberty Memorial.
Included in this very funny stunt was Homer Ogden, president of the school board in 1953, who was also part of the Ziegler scolding. Ogden “borrowed” Chick’s Spoofhound during a visit to set up the punchline that Chick, an employee of Nodaway Valley Bank, would decide to place the statue for safekeeping in the bank’s vault.
The article says the statue was thought to be the only one in existence. But there are multiple statues, including one that I own. The AI colorization/enhancement on a very poor quality Forum photo may not get the participants’ faces right, but it is spot on for Spoofy, as that is a copy of the one I have.
Image source: Put in a Safe Place. ALL YOUR GREATEST TREASURES
The Maryville Daily Forum, November 21, 1953, Page 3. via Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-maryville-daily-forum-spoofy-in-noda/196234857/
“INTO THE NODAWAY VALLEY VAULT for secure protection goes one of the few original Spoofies,” says Morris Chick, his owner, second from left. Looking on as guards are the Spocthounds’ three football captains–Don Pierpoint, Jim Moore, and Benny Surplus. A Safe Bank for Maryville Folks Since 1868 NODAWAY VALLEY BANK Member of F. D.I. C. Many old grads of MHS help to give you courteous service here. Corner Third and Main.
Spoofy Chick Takes Quick Trip About Town By Barbara Benning (Maryville High Hi-Lights)
The Maryville Daily Forum, November 21, 1953, Page 3. via Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-maryville-daily-forum-spoofy-chick-a/196234775/
Never try to pilfer a beloved Spoofy! … even if it is a joke.
This fact, Homer Ogden, president of the school board, found true last week when he tried to “borrow” Morris Chick’s Spoofhound. Spoofy Chick, by the way, is the only original Hound known to be in existence.
He was created back in the early 1920’s. One evening, the team on which Mr. Ogden, Mr. Chick, and Joseph Phipps played was told by their coach. Professor L. E. Ziegler, that they played like a “bunch of nondescript spoofhounds.” Before this time, MHS teams had no mascot name…From then on. they had one…
Spoofy Disappears
When Mr. and Mrs. Ogden and Mr. and Mrs. Phipps were leaving the Chick home after an evening’s visit, Mr. Ogden slipped Spoofy Chick into his pocket. He always wanted a 1922 version of the “Hound”…and here was his chance…so he thought.
After all guests had gone home, the absence of the dog was discovered. The Chicks grabbed their coats, jumped into their car, and headed straight for the Ogdens residence, feeling sure they knew exactly where Spoofy had gone. They waited quietly outside until everyone except the eldest son, Stan, another former Spoofhound, was in bed.
Peeking in the window, the Chicks spied the beloved Hound and noticed that Stan was studying. Tiptoeing in, they retrieved Spoofy
Spoofy Gone Again.
The next morning. Mrs. Ogden announced Spoofy was missing.
The Chicks had outsmarted the Ogdens by taking Stan into their confidence…
Now Spoofy’s original owner has decided that if he wants to keep the treasured memento of his high school sports career, he will have to store it in the vault at the Nodaway Valley Bank, where he works.
Morris Chick 1980 Obituary (18 Feb 1904-22 Mar 1980)
The Kansas City Times, March 24, 1980, Page 25. via Newspapers.com https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-morris-chick-obitu/196239709/
MARYVILLE – Morris Holt Chick, 76, Maryville, Mo., died Saturday at a hospital in Maryville. He was born in Darlington, Mo., and had lived in Maryville most of his life. Mr. Chick had been vice president of the Nodaway Valley Bank in Maryville 35 years. He was treasurer of the First United Methodist Church and a member of the school board in Maryville.
Mr. Chick was a former master of the Nodaway Masonic Lodge and a member of the Lions Club and the Chamber of Commerce in Maryville. He was active in the American Red Cross, a district chairman of the American Cancer Society and a leader and finance chairman of the Boy Scouts of America in Maryville. He graduated from the Northwest Missouri State University. He leaves his wife.
Mrs. Fern Broadhurst Chick of the home, and a brother, Jack Chick, Shenandoah, Iowa. Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Price Chapel, Maryville: burial in Oak Hill Cemetery here. The family requests contributions to the church.
- Maryville’s the only school with a Spoofhound — proof that when they said “be original,” the mascot committee listened…and howled.
- Other schools have eagles and tigers. Maryville has a Spoofhound. Guess they took “chase your dreams” very literally.
- When opponents ask what a Spoofhound is, Maryville just hands them a ticket — halftime’s the explanation.
- You don’t choose a Spoofhound; a Spoofhound chooses you — usually after sniffing out the wrong mascot twice.
- There’s only one Spoofhound in the country. That’s good — imagine the confusion at the national mascot convention.
- Other schools collect trophies. Maryville collects tall tales — the Spoofhound approves.
- Mascot swap day got awkward when Maryville rolled up with the Spoofhound. The other school’s tiger still hasn’t recovered.
- Every Spoofhound game starts with a pep rally and ends with an elaborate excuse for why the Hound stole the halftime show.
- Opponents come for the game and stay for the legend — Maryville’s spoiler: the Spoofhound’s fan club is mandatory.
- They say being unique is risky. Maryville says it’s iconic — and the Spoofhound’s already drafted a memoir.
- Coach called us “a bunch of Spoofhounds” to shame us — we took it as a scouting report and put it on the jersey.
- He meant it as an insult; we heard it as a team name. Miscommunication: 1, Coach: 0.
- Coach yelled, “Spoofhounds!” like it was an accusation. We cheered like it was a battle cry. Same word, new dynasty.
- He tried to shame us—now he’s the only coach who gets heckled with, “Go Spoofhounds!” every game.
- Coach said we were sniffing around like Spoofhounds. We started a mascot tryout — he didn’t get a spot.
- He meant “spoof” as in foolish. We thought he meant “spirit.” Turns out spirit wins.
- Coach: “You’re a bunch of Spoofhounds!” Players: “Great — order the banners.”
- He called us Spoofhounds to cut morale. We cut banners instead. Momentum followed.
- He tried to bury us with a nickname; we planted it as a tradition. Coach still digs for a better comeback.
- He meant it to sting, but we turned it into a mascot — proving once again: never insult a team that can giggle in unison.
- Coach: “Act like men, not Spoofhounds!” Team: “Okay — men who wear Spoofhound hats.”
- He aimed for criticism and accidentally trademarked our brand. Now the only thing he can bench is his pride.