SAN DIEGO - It's a dead bird. It's a skirt. It's a kilt. Whatever 'it' is, the latest incarnation of the San Diego State Aztecs mascot provided a Rorschach test for media wags Monday at its introduction.

After years of debate over political correctness, student referendums and research into Aztec culture, the Aztec Warrior is back. The new creation replaces the late, great Monty Montezuma banished several years ago.

From the stands, it looks as if a red, black and white bird landed on the mascot's head and died upon impact. Straight on with a clear view of the black makeup around the eyes, the mascot bears a striking resemblance to Ozzy Osbourne, circa Black Sabbath, on a really bad hair day.

The rest of the get-up includes a red quilted tank top, a short black skirt (interpreted as a kilt by some) and leg cuffs. A shield that looks suspiciously like an overblown fourth-place ribbon from a grade-school track meet provides an accessory. Either the Aztecs ran out of money or bowed to practicality by putting the guy in sport sandals.

The kicker is the costume cost $ 11,000 and was created by a professor in the SDSU School of Theatre, Television and Film, according to The San Diego Union-Tribune. The professor went to Las Vegas (keeping the money within the Mountain West Conference) to buy the feathers.

Unless there's another student vote to get rid of the thing, Front Range fans will get to see the Aztec Warrior at the Mountain West Conference men's and women's basketball tournaments, March 10-13 at the Pepsi Center.

The school eliminated Monty Montezuma, a spear-throwing, fire-twirling, brass breast-plated original, several years ago during a logo redesign. The design dropped the red-faced Indian profile, and the live mascot was retired in the process.

Objections by students and alums led to the re-introduction of a historically and politically corrected costume.

The revival was bashed on a San Diego State fan Internet site with suggestions it looked more like the San Diego Chicken than the old Aztecs mascot.

Given the athletic department's budget woes, an even bigger question than why would anyone leave the house in such a costume is, why spend $ 11,000?

More Woes For Aztecs

A ridiculous mascot may be the least of San Diego State's problems. The school is embroiled in a lingering controversy dating to a state audit of the athletic department that cost former athletic director Rick Bay his job.

Allegations in a lawsuit filed by former strength coach Dave Ohton claim some coaches were visibly intoxicated on road trips, players drank alcoholic beverages on plane trips and there was underage drinking at the football team's postseason banquet.

Ohton was dismissed last year as the football team's strength coach by coach Tom Craft. According to The San Diego Union-Tribune, affidavits were signed by several former starters, some of whom are now in the NFL.

The Aztecs were sanctioned by the NCAA and lost three days of spring ball last year.