Emily Newell
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Butler alumnus Michael Kaltenmark works in the basement of Jordan Hall as an individual gift officer in Butler University’s department of annual giving.
But when he goes to work every day, joining him is a 60-some pound bulldog.
A 2002 graduate, Kaltenmark is the owner of Blue II, Butler’s live mascot.
To Butler students, Kaltenmark said Blue has always been a celebrity.
He gets his own birthday parties in Starbucks.
He gets endless pets and rub-downs from students passing by.
But when the Butler men’s basketball team made it to the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championships, Blue’s popularity grew.
By the time the Bulldogs advanced to Monday night’s National Championship game, Blue had been elevated to a mascot media darling and bona fide celebrity.
“He was probably the most popular dog in America this weekend,” Kaltenmark said.
During the basketball team’s run through the tournament, Blue became so popular he made the home page of ESPN.com.“That was such a big shock,” Kaltenmark said. “I had no idea it was going to happen.
“I was in the office and got an e-mail that afternoon from a friend saying ‘your dog is on ESPN.com.’ I didn’t think it would be much, then I saw the page. It was incredible.
“I got texts and e-mails the rest of the afternoon.”
That was just the beginning of the media frenzy that would ensue, Kaltenmark said.
At the time, he had no idea what was ahead for himself and his pup.
“Being at Lucas Oil Stadium, we realized very quickly that we wouldn’t be able to walk through common areas because everyone wanted pictures with him,” Kaltenmark said.
For a bulldog accustomed to sleeping eight to 12 hours a night, plus a three-hour morning nap and three-hour afternoon nap, Kaltenmark said the non-stop media coverage was a lot.
“We tried to walk behind the scenes through the media areas,” he said. “Even there, members of the media, CEOs, everyone wanted to get their picture taken with Blue.”
Part of what Kaltenmark does as Blue’s owner is taking care of his Twitter account (@ButlerBlue2) and his blog (butlerblue2.blogspot.com).
With the tournament exposure, Blue’s social media sites have become increasingly popular.
“His following on Twitter has grown tremendously,” Kaltenmark said. “It’s just like a barrage of new followers every day.”
What began as local media coverage soon became national, as Blue earned his spot on several national television and radio programs.
CBS Sports broadcaster Seth Davis interviewed the spirited pup on CBS Sports’ pre-game broadcast.
He spent one morning as a guest on The Bob & Tom Show, a nationally-syndicated radio program.
The week leading up to the Final Four and National Championship games was one packed with events for Blue.
He came out to show his support at the first Butler pep rally at Monument Circle on March 31.
He was supposed to “speak,” but it was announced that he was “saving his voice” so he could cheer on the team in the national semifinal versus Michigan State last Saturday.
Originally, it was thought Blue may not be able to go to the Final Four and National Championship games at Lucas Oil Stadium because Blue is a live mascot rather than costumed.
After being approved to attend the games, Kaltenmark said Blue was really excited.
“Blue loves being the center of attention,” he said. “Just being able to go to Lucas Oil and be a part of the show, a part of the experience, he loved it.”
Kaltenmark said he thinks Blue’s national exposure helped give a good face to the Butler name.
“People may see the basketball team, but seeing Blue, they may say ‘Hey, he looks like a cute, fun dog, that might be a nice place to visit and look at.’”
As Saturday approached, Blue’s very own media “March Madness” continued to grow.
“We’ve probably done every local news affiliate at least twice,” Kaltenmark said. “It was just so crazy.
“In one day, you could open up The Indianapolis Star and his picture was in it. You could open up USA Today and his picture was in it. You could open up The Wall Street Journal and his picture was in it.”
And Blue’s Final Four experience didn’t stop at media exposure.
“He got the full spa treatment,” Kaltenmark said of the free grooming Blue received from Good Dog Hotel & Spa in Broad Ripple. The pre-game primping was all part of the effort to get Blue looking his best before his national exposure at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Since the tournament, Blue has been receiving offers from various people for clothes, toys and other assorted goods.
“Now, people are starting to come out of the woodwork,” Kaltenmark said. “He already has a food sponsor, stuff like that, so he’s really well taken care of, but this has been so much.
“We’ve got people offering him custom clothing, free toys, stuff like that.
“But this dog already has more toys than any other dog. Still, if you say ‘go get your new toy,’ he knows what it means.”
Despite all the hype and hoopla, Kaltenmark said Blue has maintained his composure and has been a calm, cool and collected dog.
“He played a great role with the team as ‘best supporting actor,’” Kaltenmark said. “He took a little of the attention off the team so they could prepare.”
Outside of the spotlight, Blue is just like any other dog.
“Away from being Butler’s mascot, he’s my wife’s and my pet,” Kaltenmark said, “He’s our dog, just like anyone else’s dog.”
When the media frenzy subsides, Kaltenmark said Blue will go back to his normal campus life.
“His favorite thing to do on campus is anything sports related,” Kaltenmark said. “If you say ‘Hinkle,’ he’ll bring his ears back or tip his head.
“It means he gets to be in the spotlight, and he loves that type of stuff.”
Off the court and away from basketball or any other Butler sports team, Blue enjoys hanging around campus and mingling with the students.
“He loves to go outside when people are on the mall,” Kaltenmark said. “He thinks the mall is his yard. So when people are out there, he thinks people are hanging out and playing in his yard.”
Getting back to that normal life is something Kaltenmark said started as soon as the championship game ended.
“We put him to bed right after the game and he just woke up for good around 1 or 2 p.m. today [Tuesday].
“My wife and I always try to make him as comfortable as possible,” he said. “But for all his hard work over the past week or so, we want to treat him to something nice.”
So what’s on the upcoming agenda for Butler’s newest celebrity?
“We’ve never taken him canoeing before,” Kaltenmark said. “We think that is something he would really enjoy.”
Kaltenmark said they have also been looking into getting a doggy masseuse for Blue.
“After all the hard work, he deserves it.”
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