By Katie Muska
Asst. Lifestyles Editor
Calvin the Cavalier, a figure at sporting events and activites on campus and is played by a Cabrini student. Their identity is a mystery. The spirited character’s alter ego has been hidden since this unnamed student took the job.
It is through one of their many activities that this student acquired the job of mascot.
Orlin Jesperson, assistant director of athletics and recreation in the Dixon Center gave this student the job. “He needed an extra mascot person,” our mascot said. “I was flip-flopping with one person who transferred so he just asked me and I was like sure why not.”
This mystery student is a fairly recent addition to the list of students who have played this role. The current mascot has just started working in the position last semester. The new Cavalier has been the mascot for Homecoming, the women’s CSAC final game and Cabrini Day.
Of course, the job has its ups and downs—but at least it pays.
“It’s definitely harder because you can’t talk, and you can’t really see out of the uniform so it’s kind of hard to see where you’re going and what you’re doing,” the student said. “It’s hot and sweaty and you feel very claustrophobic in there.”
However, with the negatives come the positives.
“It’s different and it’s fun because you’re supposed to be mysterious and no one’s supposed to know who you are,” the Cavalier said. “It’s fun to be the mascot, but it’s not fun to be in that costume.”
The mystery student enjoys the interaction that the job entails, but describes it as difficult because althoughhe/she are interacting, the person can’t actually talk.
“I was nervous because I forgot you can’t talk,” they said. “The first thing I did was I talked by accident. It’s hard, especially when people try to talk to you and you can only shake your head yes or no and use your hands.”
Whenever on the job, the mascot gets a person to shadow. This makes things easier because the shadow makes sure the mascot get where ever he/she needs to go without falling over or getting hurt. That is about all the help the student got, though. There was no training involved in this job.
“They kind of just threw me in there,” the cavalier said. “I did it once in high school just for fun at a game. It’s cool because you can do things and nobody knows it’s you.”
“No one was supposed to know,” the secret mascot said. “No one knew who I was at homecoming, and then at Cabrini Day everyone kind of figured out it was me based on how short I was and my mannerisms and stuff like that. Word travels fast at this school, so everyone kind of figured out.”
However, not everyone knows.
The biggest upcoming event for the mascot is going to be Accepted Students Day in April. Other than that, the mascot is usually used for campus-wide events and by request of different offices, like SEaL. Requests go through Orlin and then to the student. Another future event will be in the summer for Summer Orientation for the students so they can take pictures.
“I think my favorite part is taking pictures with little kids, like at the homecoming dance, all the little kids came up to me and it was fun taking pictures with them,” the mascot said. “I think taking pictures with people is the funniest part.”
Aside from their double-life as Calvin the Cavalier, the mascot is involved with various other campus activities. Of course, we will not reveal anymore of his/her secrets.
@KatieAMuska
