2008 Woodie Awards
Date With Sparky
Mira Kim
Issue date: 10/26/04 Section: Features
So what is it like at games? Bill usually goes in two or three hours prior to the games to set up. He does about two routines per game, and tries not to repeat any routines.
Sometimes, there are even rivalries with other mascots. "Once, in the early 90's, I had a friend who worked as the mascot for Northern Illinois University," Bill grinned, as he recollected. "I put my hand out for a handshake before the game, and the Huskie smacked me on the head. Then I put my hand out again, and it smacked me again!"
Defending the Flame pride, he proceeded to playfully beat the Huskie. "It was down on the ground, and I was on top of it, punching it and joking around. As it turns out, my friend wasn't in the costume that day! There was a cheerleader inside the costume!"
But all jokes aside, sometimes he needs to stick to safety zones. "People get inebriated or frustrated, and I get pushed or physically attacked. But once they find that I'm not just a little guy [in a big costume], they back down. It's funny because you see their eyes get big and gasp, once they see that I'm a big guy."
Besides getting attacked by fans, which occurs infrequently, one of the hardest things for him is the heat that gets trapped under the costume. "It wears on you," said Bill, "wearing the costume where it's 110 to 120 degrees inside and running around for two, three hours."
Overall, Bill loves his job and is planning on continuing it for the foreseeable future. Especially with the expansion of the campus housing, student turnout is expected to increase as well.
Also, this year is an exciting year for the men's basketball team, playing many big teams seen on TV. Depending on the team's performance, as many as eleven of the Flame's basketball games will be televised. All home games are free of charge to students, so come on out and show some love for our school.
Sometimes, there are even rivalries with other mascots. "Once, in the early 90's, I had a friend who worked as the mascot for Northern Illinois University," Bill grinned, as he recollected. "I put my hand out for a handshake before the game, and the Huskie smacked me on the head. Then I put my hand out again, and it smacked me again!"
Defending the Flame pride, he proceeded to playfully beat the Huskie. "It was down on the ground, and I was on top of it, punching it and joking around. As it turns out, my friend wasn't in the costume that day! There was a cheerleader inside the costume!"
But all jokes aside, sometimes he needs to stick to safety zones. "People get inebriated or frustrated, and I get pushed or physically attacked. But once they find that I'm not just a little guy [in a big costume], they back down. It's funny because you see their eyes get big and gasp, once they see that I'm a big guy."
Besides getting attacked by fans, which occurs infrequently, one of the hardest things for him is the heat that gets trapped under the costume. "It wears on you," said Bill, "wearing the costume where it's 110 to 120 degrees inside and running around for two, three hours."
Overall, Bill loves his job and is planning on continuing it for the foreseeable future. Especially with the expansion of the campus housing, student turnout is expected to increase as well.
Also, this year is an exciting year for the men's basketball team, playing many big teams seen on TV. Depending on the team's performance, as many as eleven of the Flame's basketball games will be televised. All home games are free of charge to students, so come on out and show some love for our school.