The head University mascot might be the most photographed person in Eugene, but the public doesn’t know his name.
Although this 27-year-old junior is an essential part of family photos and college memorabilia, University fans don’t know that the man inside the suit is a political science major, owns an eight-week-old golden retriever and played semi-professional baseball abroad. They don’t know that the 6-foot Portlander served in the army for four years and graduated from Wilson High School.
“That’s the way it’s supposed to be,” said Mascot (whose identity must remain a secret). “The unwritten mascot rule is to be anonymous.”
However, Mascot, who said he naturally thinks like a cartoon character, said making the transition from an individual to a symbol of the school is easy.
“Once I’m in the suit,” he said, “I’m in the whole Donald Duck persona: I’m cocky and mad. If I trip, I’m steaming out the ears.”
Mascot, who began his job in fall 1999, said he believes a certain amount of natural craziness is required to be the Duck. During games, Mascot will spontaneously play with the band, pour water on male cheerleaders and surf the “Pit Crew” at McArthur Court. The Duck’s most noticed stunt is doing push-ups for the number of total points on the scoreboard every time the football team scores.
But the Duck’s most amusing activity is walking. Standing outside Starbucks on 13th Avenue on Monday, Mascot demonstrated his high-step. While his movements were entertaining, Mascot said he practices this awkward locomotion out of necessity: With feet measuring 15 inches long by 12 inches wide, it is the only — albeit ugly — way to move.
While playing a cartoon character can be fun, Mascot said the costume itself is challenging. Mascot must see through the Duck’s giant bill and keep the nine-pound head on at all times. Additionally, in already warm gyms and stadiums, Mascot’s 15-pound costume turns up the heat. During the Wisconsin football game on Sept. 9, 2000, the temperature inside his costume was 134 degrees Fahrenheit. While the Duck costume is usually not hot, Mascot sweats off an average of nine pounds per game. After each performance, Mascot said, he is fatigued and smelly.
Although he does not touch the game ball, Mascot has an important position on the court and field: He represents the University at the highest level. Mascot said anytime someone wants University representation, they call the Duck.
This reputation as a quasi-hero keeps Mascot active. His two years of experience as a mascot have placed him as the head Mascot, but he shares the job with three other student mascots. Together, they divide up appearances. Mascot attends all football and men’s basketball games as well as commercials and community appearances. The three others attend games for different sporting and public relations events. At his busiest, Mascot participated in more than 20 events during three weeks before school started.
To recompense him for his time and effort, the University pays Mascot a stipend. Mascot said his benefits include traveling to away games, riding the Harley-Davidson motorcycle, hanging out with cheerleaders and interacting with the fans.
Many fans seem to enjoy the Duck’s presence.
Mai Nagasaki, a freshman from Japan, said having the Duck at games “makes it exciting.”
Junior Justin Zuiker said when the Duck rides the motorcycle and holds an American flag at football games, the Duck raises the fans’ energy and spirits.
However, Mascot must also grin and bear difficult situations such as scared kids and over-enthused or drunk fans who pull on his tail.
Mascot said he expects some aggressive “high fives” from spirited and intoxicated fans, but last year Mascot had his “feathers ruffled” by an out-of-control fan and responded in like manner.
When the men’s basketball team was playing University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in December 2000, Mascot said he was tackled from behind by an opposing fan. Then three male cheerleaders grabbed the fan, and Mascot, unwilling to let anyone push around the University’s reputation, said he threw off his Duck head and punched the man in the face.
While University athletes usually make the news, Mascot’s brawl was shown on local news stations and SportsCenter as the “Play of the Day.” Most of the time, though, Mascot’s “Duck Guard,” a security guard who travels with him everywhere, helps him avoid such conflicts.
At his graduation, Mascot said he will hang up his webbed feet and pursue a career in human resources, public relations or politics. Maybe then, University fans will be able to know the name of the mystery man whose picture hangs on their walls.