The man in the suit: A day in the life of Big Blue
Flips, repelling and stunting are just a few of his daily activities. Little kids get excited to see him and adults are entertained by him. He is the icon of USU. He is the school mascot, Big Blue.
As his first year as USU mascot, Big Blue said he hadn’t always planned on taking this course; it just sort of happened. Big Blue said while attending high school, he was a cheerleader and mascot but when attending sporting events and watching other mascots, he wanted to do more of the things they were doing.
“I like to do random and a crazy assortment of things,” he said.
Big Blue said before attending college, a lady he knew encouraged him to become a college mascot, if not a professional one. He said he thought about the idea and talked to the spirit squad coach Linda Zimmerman about applying for the position.
Big Blue said the tryouts for the position involved creativity, improvisation and conditioning. He said he had to come up with a skit five minutes or shorter, and his involved the theme “Big Blue, there is nothing he can’t do.” Big Blue said his skit involved a variety of sports, repelling and jumping through a flaming ring of fire, which he said was really a hula hoop with fake flames around it.
Big Blue said the improvisation portion of tryouts involved a “What would you do?” type of scenerio.
“You couldn’t talk and a judge would ask you a question like ‘If there were two little kids that were scared of you, how are going to react?'” he said. “They (the judges) ask you the type of random situations that, as Big Blue, you could get placed into.”
Big Blue said the tryouts are all about seeing how the applicant reacts, presents him or herself and to see how he or she can really perform.
“Big Blue is the school icon,” he said. “You have to bring that to the table. You have to pretend you are the shiz and portray that in the suit.”
However, once wearing the suit, Big Blue said it can become difficult because the identity of the mascot must be kept secret. Big Blue said it can be hard because nobody can receive immediate credit for many stunts and the tricks. But Big Blue said it also gives him the opportunity to be more out there.
“It’s fun to entertain,” he said. “Nobody knows who you are so you can hit on girls and high-five people you don’t even know.”
Big Blue said very few people, such as his roommates, the spirit squad and a few professors know about his job as the school mascot.
“If people knew who I was, it would be a whole different story,” he said.
According to Big Blue, wearing and performing in the suit is a tiring process. Big Blue said he can now jump in and out of the suit quickly, but it takes about 10 minutes to put the outfit completely on. He said the suit contains a lot of layers and by staying active throughout an entire sporting event he loses seven to ten pounds each game.
“You sweat a lot from all the activities you do,” Big Blue said. “With the head on, you’ll often chew gum so you don’t have to smell your breath because you can really stink it up.”
Big Blue said to prepare himself for a game he attends practice with the cheerleaders by learning dances and stunts. He said he also attends a gymnastic and tumbling class, along with break dancing with friends.
Big Blue said during a game he stays busy by messing with the crowd, performing at timeouts and at the end of each quarter. He said he helps with promotions, dances with the cheerleaders and drill team and does his back flips and others stunts.
Halftime is the when Big Blue said he gets a small break. He said this is when he takes the time to get himself hydrated once again.
“It’s really strenuous and you can literally lose your breath,” he said. “You get really hot and sweaty. Its really warm and you come out of the suit wet when you’re done.”
Even with the exhausting job, Big Blue said he reaps the rewards. He said he has had the opportunity to attend several charity events and other events including a football game with 8th graders against school mascots.
“Kids get excited to see Big Blue,” he said. “I get to go to games and do crazy things.”
However, Big Blue said not all kids enjoy being around him. He said many young children cry when they see something as large as Big Blue. He said many kids are fine after they pet or touch the suit but others are not.
“There are always those children you can’t warm up to,” he said. “You can try and the parents like it when you do try. I’ll wave to them or if it’s a little girl, I’ll blow her a kiss.”
But regardless, Big Blue said he loves his job.
“It’s been fun to go to every event and every little knick knack,” Big Blue said. “Big Blue is awesome and is just a fun thing.”
–courtnie.packer@aggiemail.usu.edu
Big Blue repels from the ceiling at a basketball game this spring. (Cameron Peterson)
Repelling down a rope, Big Blue excites the crowd during a basketball game last season. (Cameron Peterson)