Why I became a Mascot
May 7, 2007 - 12:48pm — DanieltheLion
How I stepped into A new World
The World of Mascots.
A few 10 years ago, I was faced with a problem. I was finishing up my track years in College and I had another year to finish my course work, and I was going start paying for my desire for travel.
Let me explain, School makes you want to travel. In high school I went to the capital of California, and I was supposed to go to Mazatlan, Mexico for free….. but that is another story.. In college, This is when they poured it on. More History classes talking about this place and that place. Then, I went to many different universities and state because of track and they paid for you. They even gave you money to spend.. well it was supposed to be for food but you know.. I was in college, I was used to starving.
So I blame the Education system.!!!!
So I had to figure out a way to keep traveling for my last year. I thought about Football but they really had no life other than football. Basketball I was never really that good in it, plus I would always get hurt. Then it hit during practice one day. A cheerleader running by the track as she was getting ready for cheer auditions. That was it.. They travel more than anyone and they don’t do anything but yell. Easy ride
When I went out for this audition I looked and realized that the guys had to work harder than I wanted to.
And then I got the scoop. Mascot Tryouts today..
I never really seen the mascot around before, especially not at our track meets so I figure Easy ride. God was with me.
The Audition was easy, I really didn’t have to do anything special because it was me and another guy trying out. The other guys realized they were ineligible (grades + time) The requirement were: Athletic, flexible schedule, 2.0 g.p.a )
So Became the TIMEOUT the mascot for CSU FRESNO.
Although this decision was easy, I never realized how it would impact my life.
Athletically, Socially, emotionally, and even Spiritually.
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When I was 7 years old, I drew a cartoon of the Pittsburgh Parrot but nearly missed handing him my artwork, because he couldn't see me really well outta that beak. This was back when he first started, in the late 70's. A year later, our local Altoona Fire Dept. had an art contest to create a mascot for their station. I came up with a fire fox all decked out in fireman attire, and I not only won a trophy and $100 savings bond, but they made my cartoon into a mascot costume. It was incredible to be a kid and to see my art jump off the sketch pad and into real life. I thought I was the next Walt Disney.
Like Jim Henson, I would draw my cartoons and find stuff around the house to turn my characters into puppet creations.
When I was approached about helping out with Steamer the sports mascot, I turned down the offer twice, but assisted with him as much as I could while living in Pittsburgh. Offering my 2 cents by writing scripts for skits and being 'the plant' in the stands. But the 3rd time I was asked, I said yes, 'but only to be an assistant'. Halfway through the season, the original Steamer pulled a stunt that injured his leg, just about the very same time his best friend was killed in a motorcycle crash. My first day as Steamer ( full game ) was July 4th 2001. I had to play Steamer and play Uncle Sam too. I was hoping I wouldn't mix the 2 costumes up. Steamer didn't talk and Sam had to sing the 7th inning stretch. Never took one break, and had no assistants working with me. I did have a walkie talkie and swore I would never use one again after that night.
People often ask me, " how'd you get the Steamer gig?" and I usually tell them " I lost a bet ". But actually, I am just filling in until the original Steamer's leg heals up. Hurry the hell up Bill.
" I hate a dirty joke, I do. Unless it's told by someone who, knows how to tell it. " Groucho Marx as Captain Spalding