I am confused - are you open to mascot or not?
The Disney reference, as well as my other comments re: the music, entertainment, jumbo trons, and mascots is that it all can enhance the game experience and create emotional attachment above and beyond the players/team. DisneyWorld is much more than just a park for movie magic. Their complete and utter focus is on a vastly expanded experience well above and beyond the obvious.
Pride in something, yes, that can be pre-existing, but it can also be developed. I am not sure how much pride there was in the idea of a white guy dressed in a native american costume dancing on hardwood prior to the experience of seeing and experiencing it along with the music, etc.
For instance:
I didn't have a clue about the Chief before attending the UofI. I developed emotional attachment very quickly once i got there because of the experience.
I liked "Enter Sandman" prior to my oldest attending VATech. It now gives me goosebumps when i even think about the song after having attended many Tech games.
So my point is that I don't think we need a one sentence explanation of why we chose a particular mascot other than it would be nice to have a clear tie-in. Over time, it's more important in what the character of the mascot is. I personally do not like man-type mascots like a Spartan-ish, Irish-guy, Mountaineer-eh, Boiler-type-guy - they don't convey the likable character I think works better in the mascot world. If the Kingfisher could be fashioned to be more like Hokie Bird, SanDiego Chicken, rather than life-like and serious bird type, I think that has more appeal.
Perhaps once we put up the statue of King Kofi it will all make sense.