I got a a new appreciation for College Mascots after readng this article and finding out how much these costumes actually cost.(see copstume link) Congragulations to Wavey Dave. I think JSU is going to really need his services this year.
http://www.starcostumes.com/browse.asp?id=105
Wavey Dave and Baby Tigers
Wavey Dave at Work
http://www.clarionledger.com/news/0307/26/tjsu01.html
July 26, 2003
Tradition, enthusiasm keep mascots going strong
By Michael Wallace
[email protected]
Few mascots in the nation stand a chance against Jackson State's "Wavey Dave'' when it comes to hip-shaking, hand-clapping and foot-stomping at halftime during football games.
"Anybody can put a suit on and do antics," said Dave Chambers, 38. "But what we do is put on a show. Forget the football game. Me and the Baby Tigers try to give you your money's worth with the halftime show all by itself."
Chambers also has the market on longevity cornered. He's entering his 18th football season running sidelines and thrilling thousands of fans in his gold and black Tiger suit complete with a blue vest, oversized head and long tail.
What amounts to a year of college fun for most has turned into a lasting labor of love for Chamber, who graduated from JSU in 1988 but at the request of school officials has held onto his side job ever since.
And just as Gladys Knight had the Pips and Huey Lewis rolled with the News, Wavey Dave goes nowhere without his pint-sized sidekicks ? kids as young as age four dressed as baby tigers.
Pranks aside, being a mascot is serious business at the Big Four colleges in the state. Compensation for the job ranges from a small stipend to partial scholarships in some cases, school officials said.
And school loyalties aside, even a seasoned vet like Chambers can agree with rookie mascot Jake Wade on at least one thing. "You've got to be a little crazy and a lot brave to do what we do," said Wade, a Laurel native and incoming freshman at Ole Miss.
Wade beat out five others during an audition this summer to be the next Colonel Reb. Wade said he was not discouraged by the recent controversy surrounding Colonel Reb's fate. School officials said earlier this summer they are searching for a new image to replace the aging southern gentleman with the large hat, gray mustache and cane.
As Colonel Reb, Wade will not be present at sporting events, but will make appearances in The Grove ? the school's prime tailgating area ? before games and at other functions, Ole Miss dean of students Sparky Reardon said.
"Where I go is up to the school to decide, but I'm still going to have a blast with it," said Wade, who was the mascot at Northeast Jones last year. "I just love being there for my school. I'm looking forward to taking this thing to the next level."
Wade said Ole Miss fans will be surprised at the moves they'll see from Colonel Reb, a character appearing to be in his 70s.
"There's going to be a little 'Harlem Shake' and 'C'Walkin'," Wade said, referring to popular Hip-Hop dance moves.
Southern Miss is represented by Seymour, a giant Eagle. Three students rotate through the costume in bringing the big bird to life.
John Mills, who will be spending his fourth season inside Seymour, said the selection process is essentially a word-of-mouth exercise, where departing mascots choose their successor.
"There's some trying out, but mostly it's going to be someone who has experience, who's done it in high school or someone you've instructed in a camp or something," said Mills, who is from Oak Grove. "You kind of get to pass the tradition along. You pass on your legacy to the next guy."
Mills inherited his role when Jamie Arrington of Oak Grove moved on. Arrington will be the first-ever mascot of the Chicago Bears this fall.
Meanwhile, Mississippi State may be breaking new ground with "Bully the Bulldog."
School officials believe Jackson native Sarah Martin will be the school's first female Bully to work the sidelines. Martin, a junior, was one of four students chosen earlier this spring to rotate mascot duties.
For a quarter, each student will shout cheers, stir up the crowd and do what many mascots inadvertently do: Scare the daylights out of babies when the caricatures enter the stands.
"Some of her friends talked her into doing it," said Patricia Martin, Sarah's mother. "But she's really taking it serious and it seems to be something she really wants to do."
Sarah Martin was unavailable for comment Friday. She is spending the weekend brushing up her shenanigans at a mascot camp in Alabama.
There's not much of a science to the selection process at MSU, associate athletic director for marketing Mike Richey said.
"You end up with guys who say to themselves one day, 'Wouldn't it be great to be a mascot,' " said Richey, one of three school officials who judged the tryouts. "That personality really translates when you throw on the suit. It takes a special person to wear that big head."
http://www.starcostumes.com/browse.asp?id=105
Wavey Dave and Baby Tigers
Wavey Dave at Work
http://www.clarionledger.com/news/0307/26/tjsu01.html
July 26, 2003
Tradition, enthusiasm keep mascots going strong
By Michael Wallace
[email protected]
Few mascots in the nation stand a chance against Jackson State's "Wavey Dave'' when it comes to hip-shaking, hand-clapping and foot-stomping at halftime during football games.
"Anybody can put a suit on and do antics," said Dave Chambers, 38. "But what we do is put on a show. Forget the football game. Me and the Baby Tigers try to give you your money's worth with the halftime show all by itself."
Chambers also has the market on longevity cornered. He's entering his 18th football season running sidelines and thrilling thousands of fans in his gold and black Tiger suit complete with a blue vest, oversized head and long tail.
What amounts to a year of college fun for most has turned into a lasting labor of love for Chamber, who graduated from JSU in 1988 but at the request of school officials has held onto his side job ever since.
And just as Gladys Knight had the Pips and Huey Lewis rolled with the News, Wavey Dave goes nowhere without his pint-sized sidekicks ? kids as young as age four dressed as baby tigers.
Pranks aside, being a mascot is serious business at the Big Four colleges in the state. Compensation for the job ranges from a small stipend to partial scholarships in some cases, school officials said.
And school loyalties aside, even a seasoned vet like Chambers can agree with rookie mascot Jake Wade on at least one thing. "You've got to be a little crazy and a lot brave to do what we do," said Wade, a Laurel native and incoming freshman at Ole Miss.
Wade beat out five others during an audition this summer to be the next Colonel Reb. Wade said he was not discouraged by the recent controversy surrounding Colonel Reb's fate. School officials said earlier this summer they are searching for a new image to replace the aging southern gentleman with the large hat, gray mustache and cane.
As Colonel Reb, Wade will not be present at sporting events, but will make appearances in The Grove ? the school's prime tailgating area ? before games and at other functions, Ole Miss dean of students Sparky Reardon said.
"Where I go is up to the school to decide, but I'm still going to have a blast with it," said Wade, who was the mascot at Northeast Jones last year. "I just love being there for my school. I'm looking forward to taking this thing to the next level."
Wade said Ole Miss fans will be surprised at the moves they'll see from Colonel Reb, a character appearing to be in his 70s.
"There's going to be a little 'Harlem Shake' and 'C'Walkin'," Wade said, referring to popular Hip-Hop dance moves.
Southern Miss is represented by Seymour, a giant Eagle. Three students rotate through the costume in bringing the big bird to life.
John Mills, who will be spending his fourth season inside Seymour, said the selection process is essentially a word-of-mouth exercise, where departing mascots choose their successor.
"There's some trying out, but mostly it's going to be someone who has experience, who's done it in high school or someone you've instructed in a camp or something," said Mills, who is from Oak Grove. "You kind of get to pass the tradition along. You pass on your legacy to the next guy."
Mills inherited his role when Jamie Arrington of Oak Grove moved on. Arrington will be the first-ever mascot of the Chicago Bears this fall.
Meanwhile, Mississippi State may be breaking new ground with "Bully the Bulldog."
School officials believe Jackson native Sarah Martin will be the school's first female Bully to work the sidelines. Martin, a junior, was one of four students chosen earlier this spring to rotate mascot duties.
For a quarter, each student will shout cheers, stir up the crowd and do what many mascots inadvertently do: Scare the daylights out of babies when the caricatures enter the stands.
"Some of her friends talked her into doing it," said Patricia Martin, Sarah's mother. "But she's really taking it serious and it seems to be something she really wants to do."
Sarah Martin was unavailable for comment Friday. She is spending the weekend brushing up her shenanigans at a mascot camp in Alabama.
There's not much of a science to the selection process at MSU, associate athletic director for marketing Mike Richey said.
"You end up with guys who say to themselves one day, 'Wouldn't it be great to be a mascot,' " said Richey, one of three school officials who judged the tryouts. "That personality really translates when you throw on the suit. It takes a special person to wear that big head."
