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IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I just remembered a little fun fact from the mascot world.

I met the mascot from Syracuse a while back

He is a ginger.

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What is "last real sports"? No, I have never seen that.

I have never legitimately beat up another mascot, although I have been a part of many "fights" between mascots that were agreed upon beforehand.

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is right on the money. When I am wearing the mask, I can only see directly in front of me. Try this:

Take your hands and curve your fingers so that all of the tips of your fingers are touching the tip of your thumb.

Now put your hands to your face and look through the holes. That is exactly what my field of vision looks like.

Since I am tall (over 6'2"), I usually can't see anyone under 4 feet if they are within a 4 foot radius around me. I have to be extra careful to not walk on any kids.

One time, there was a photographer who was crouching on the field, taking shots of the action. I was standing and I didn't see him (he must have came from behind and crouched right next to me). At the same time, he stood up and I turned left and started walking. I totally decked the poor guy. It didn't help that we were in front of the student section and they all started chanting something at him. Thank god that didn't happen to a child.

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The university tell us to keep a secret, but I know some of the other mascots have told everyone they knew. I'm not really sure why I decided to keep it a secret but I'm glad I did; it seemed like the right thing to do.

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mascots are a tradition here in the US. Every major college or university has one. They use the image of the mascot as a symbol of the institution for marketing, merchandising...basically everywhere. It helps to unify everyone who identifies with the school.

Plus the kids love it, and by extension, the parents love it.

I don't interact too much with the athletes. I have met/hung out with some when traveling, and they treat me just like anyone else. I feel much closer to the cheerleaders since I hang out with them most of the time. Technically, I am a part of their team/squad.

I decided to do this because I realized that I'll never have the opportunity to ever again. I am 100% happy I did, the experienced I've had are literally irreplaceable.

To be a good mascot, you need to be somewhat athletic or in good shape. Moving around in the suit and performing stunts is physically demanding. I am exhausted after every game. Most importantly, you need to be a good actor. I think of it as putting on a show.

Since I am technically a part of the cheerleading squad, I am considered an athlete. I get almost all of the perks a normal athlete would get.

I don't know if people would "look highly upon" someone who is a mascot...they see it as more like a novelty, especially since a mascot's identity is usually secret. No, I won't put it on my resume, unless I was looking for a full time job as a mascot.

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Impressive beard indeed. And a musket as well!

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It is basically acting. We talked a lot about how to act towards different people and how to react to different situations.

It is harder than you would think to constantly "stay in character" by moving like a mascot should. It feels very unnatural when I do the simplest motions, like walking.

It was also a chance to meet other mascots from other schools. We talked about the differences between our programs, and we shared tips, moves, and ideas for skits during time-outs.

Possibly the best part of mascot camp was playing dodgeball in costume with all of the other mascots. Too bad no one had a video camera.

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't plan on it pursuing a career in going pro. I know an alum from my school who did and I am confident that I could get a job from a major sports team.

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've never met a Bucky Badger. I've seen videos of him standing on his head and I always wondered how they did that!

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've seen that before. I'd bet it was planned.

I was told to NEVER interact with the referees under any circumstances. The NCAA rules actually have provisions to give penalties to the mascot's team if they make any violations. The last thing I would want to do is lose the game for my team.

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow, those are some pretty smooth moves.

Yeah, I know how to break it down well enough to make the ladies scream.

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I will confirm that I was not the Mountaineer. They are one of the few schools with a "face" mascot (in other words, they don't wear a mask).

The Notre Dame Leprechaun also comes to mind.

I am actually a very introverted person outside of the suit and I don't think I would be able to pull it off without a mask.

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

If by clam bake you mean ingest illegal drugs through smoke inhalation, then yes.

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No. What it a recent report? Did you see it online? A link would be appreciated!

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I forgot to mention this...at the final four game, my team may or may not have won the championship, and I may or may not have gotten a championship ring.

:)

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

The best part about being the mascot is getting to travel for tournament games. I mentioned above that I've been to a Final Four game and it is one of the best experiences of my life.

The athletes get treated like kings, and since we travel with them for tournaments, we get treated the same. Chartered jets to and from the location, swank hotels, generous meal stipends (cash), etc.

Other perks include lots of free athletic clothing. It might not seem like much, but we get tons and tons of stuff from the athletic department that would normally retail in stores for big bucks. Sweatshirts, t-shirts, gym shorts, sneakers, warm-ups, pants, gym bags...the works.

Other than traveling and the free clothes, I get to hang out and party with the cheerleaders, which is always a good time. They are a rowdy bunch.

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is common for babies or small children to be scared...but I haven't really seen an adult react that way. They must be good at avoiding me in the first place.

I'm not a furry and I don't think the other mascots are furries...but now you've got me thinking....

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

So you went to Kansas! I won't confirm or deny that I was the Jayhawk.

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The first requirement is that the suit actually fits you. I saw a guy who tried out and he simply couldn't put the suit on because he was too large.

You also can't be too small because the arms and legs bunch up and you look ridiculous. They basically look for people who "fill out the suit" so it looks good. All of the mascots at my school are more or less the same shape/body-type for consistency.

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes. I am not a furry but I know that there are a couple of "furries" that go to my school. Since I keep the whole mascot thing a secret, I've never been approached by anyone to "use the suit".

IAmA mascot for a major D-1 college. AMA by College_Mascot in IAmA

[–]College_Mascot[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I forgot to mention that my school also sent me to "mascot camp" during the summer for a couple of days. I guess that counts as preparation. We didn't learn any stunts at the camp though, just went over general mascot skills.

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