Identitiesโข Revealed: โคCollegiate Mascots Often Maintain Secrecy, even After Graduation
SAN DIEGO – The tradition of maintaining anonymity for college mascots extends beyond game โday, with performers often concealing thier identities from all but a select few-sometimes even after graduation. A recent wave of reveals,โฃ including former University of South Carolina mascot Nicole hurley and university of Miami’s Carlos Polanco-Zaccardi, has shed light on the lengths to which these performers go to protect the mystique of their roles.
Jeff Birdsell,โ a communications professor at Point Loma Nazarene โUniversityโ and a veteran of mascot performance himself-having portrayed Point Loma’s mascot, as well โฃas characters for minor-league baseball, NBA G League, and indoor soccer-explained the practice.โ “Some programs value secrecy so highly that โฃmultiple performers โคreport to the stadium, but onlyโ learn in the moment who will actually be suiting up,” he said. He also noted some schools intentionally keep performers anonymous for a dramatic โreveal at graduation ceremonies.
Hurley publicly revealed herself โas “Cocky” during South Carolina’s โspring commencement, appearing in her cap, gown, and mascot feet. “When I walked across the stage, I felt so muchโข joy. The whole arena started to โฃclap and cheer, and it made me emotional,” said Hurley, a pediatric hematology oncology nurse in Charleston, South Carolina. She kept her identity secret from all but her roommates and parents, balancing performancesโ at events like weddings and sporting victories-including rushing the floor after a 2023 men’s basketball โขwin at Kentucky-with a complex web of excuses. “There wereโ countless moments โคthat I had toโ change into my suit in my car,pretty much lie toโ every person about how I worked a job in athletics andโข created excuses when I was โคnot free โon the weekends due to working private events,” Hurley recounted.
Polanco-Zaccardi,who performed as Sebastian theโ Ibis for the University of Miami,similarly maintained aโข tight circle of โคconfidants. He transported hisโ costume in a large duffel โขbag and offered fabricated explanations to curious peers. “For โขmy friends, I told them that I was one โof the party performers on stilts that perform at weddings, bar mitzvahs and birthday parties,”โ he said.
Birdsell emphasized thatโข collegiateโฃ mascots are almost always students. Heโ added that the path to landing the role varies, recalling his own start โafter gaining a reputation as an enthusiastic “loudmouthed superfan” at a smaller โคschool. โ
The dedication to the role often extends far beyond the costume, as evidenced by Scott Ferry, a Michigan State university “Sparty” alum and frequent tailgate attendee.”The spirit of the university is critical,” Ferry said. โ”We don’t wont to just beโค an individual. We want to be the icon of the university at all times.” He now owns and operates a farm and meat-processing facility an hour south of campus.
