By: Arin Howe

Puzzler

Titus, the mascot of IU South Bend, has long been known to carry around a spear and a shield. This might seem normal seeing as he is some sort of warrior, but dear reader, I ask you to look a little deeper and realize that Titus, as a loyal lover and protector of IU South Bend should be carrying a red trident that the IU logo is based on (if you didn’t know the logo was a trident, read more on page 1 of the PostButt). 

For decades, I have been asking myself this question, and the answer has been revealed to me. This realization shook me to my core. After a week’s worth of tears, it clicked. When communicating with Titus, by saying his name three times to a mirror in the tunnels of Northside, he has given me the true story that I will now share with the world. 

Long ago Titus was a protector of these lands and of his many students. No matter the circumstances, Titus was there to keep them safe with the magic of his red trident. The lands thrived for eons until Poseidon, the god of the St. Joseph River, decided to conquer the land. With a constant barrage of geese warriors, Posiedon struck down Titus, breaking the arms off his beloved trident. 

With the last of his power, Titus leached the red magic of his trident to reincarnate himself in the spirit of his learners. Poseidon, now against thousands, agreed to a peace treaty, letting the land and the sea live in harmony. Poseidon left the river as a home for his guardian geese, and the students of IU South Bend now carry the spear-like remnants of the trident and dress to honor our protector.