High School Coaching Mascots

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Feb 18, 2016
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I tried finding a thread already on this but was unable to (I apologize in advance if I am wrong).

Next year I'm transferring schools, which means starting over with a new program - as we all know, this in and of itself is stressful. I was recently contacted by the parent of the current mascot (who is well known in our community) informing me that the cheer coach is actually the one in charge of the mascot, rather than the Student Council (as is the case at my current school). I will be quite frank, I have absolutely no idea how mascots work, if there are tryouts, what those tryouts entail, what the mascot does, or literally anything. At my current school the mascot doesn't even attend football games, so I can't get any help there. Figured maybe some Fierceboard friends could help a coach out?

Also, when I say this mascot is well known in our community, I mean that she's pretty much a legend - I'm not even in the same district as this new school and even I know of this mascot! American Cheerleader literally wrote an article on her last week. To say I am intimidated is an understatement, I have no idea what to do.
 
I tried finding a thread already on this but was unable to (I apologize in advance if I am wrong).

Next year I'm transferring schools, which means starting over with a new program - as we all know, this in and of itself is stressful. I was recently contacted by the parent of the current mascot (who is well known in our community) informing me that the cheer coach is actually the one in charge of the mascot, rather than the Student Council (as is the case at my current school). I will be quite frank, I have absolutely no idea how mascots work, if there are tryouts, what those tryouts entail, what the mascot does, or literally anything. At my current school the mascot doesn't even attend football games, so I can't get any help there. Figured maybe some Fierceboard friends could help a coach out?

Also, when I say this mascot is well known in our community, I mean that she's pretty much a legend - I'm not even in the same district as this new school and even I know of this mascot! American Cheerleader literally wrote an article on her last week. To say I am intimidated is an understatement, I have no idea what to do.
Biggest upside is that the mascot is well known, so that means people will care about it and will/should help you.

And having it on your program gives you a little bigger clout at your school too (thinking ahead for budgets, staff, etc)

Mascots need a style. Seems like yours already has one in some capacities.
Start to make a manual or bible of what that style is and what the Horse does to fulfill the style and personality.
This way keeping the mascot as a community symbol can stay strong and not waiver.
Examples: does it wear clothes? does it walk with a trot? does it have a signature dance move or crowd interaction?

For tryouts, I would advertise and run them like you would for your squad:
-get passionate students to come see what its about
-make sure they can all fit the suit and make it look okay (some school have height max and mins)
-a big part of mascot tryouts is a 30 sec or 1 minute skit using certain props or music to create an entertaining character
-shoot for 3-4 people to be the mascot so they can rotate games/events and can assist at those events in school fanwear as the mascot 'bodyguard' and photographer

For the role of the Horse as a part of your squad/program:
-plan out what you want them to do at games (run the team out, pushups after TDs, fight song with the girls, etc)
-find out from the school and key community members if there are events that the mascot MUST be at - schedule ahead!
-maybe make a social media presence for the mascot and then create a webform for people to file appearance requests (great fundraiser btw)

Info overload! :) Holler if I can help further!
 
Biggest upside is that the mascot is well known, so that means people will care about it and will/should help you.

And having it on your program gives you a little bigger clout at your school too (thinking ahead for budgets, staff, etc)

Mascots need a style. Seems like yours already has one in some capacities.
Start to make a manual or bible of what that style is and what the Horse does to fulfill the style and personality.
This way keeping the mascot as a community symbol can stay strong and not waiver.
Examples: does it wear clothes? does it walk with a trot? does it have a signature dance move or crowd interaction?

For tryouts, I would advertise and run them like you would for your squad:
-get passionate students to come see what its about
-make sure they can all fit the suit and make it look okay (some school have height max and mins)
-a big part of mascot tryouts is a 30 sec or 1 minute skit using certain props or music to create an entertaining character
-shoot for 3-4 people to be the mascot so they can rotate games/events and can assist at those events in school fanwear as the mascot 'bodyguard' and photographer

For the role of the Horse as a part of your squad/program:
-plan out what you want them to do at games (run the team out, pushups after TDs, fight song with the girls, etc)
-find out from the school and key community members if there are events that the mascot MUST be at - schedule ahead!
-maybe make a social media presence for the mascot and then create a webform for people to file appearance requests (great fundraiser btw)

Info overload! :) Holler if I can help further!

This is super useful, thank you SO MUCH! I feel better about the whole thing now, I also heard that the mascot gets shipped off to Cali for USA Mascot camp every year so that should help. I'm hoping I can go supervise and sort of get a feel for it all as well!
 
This is super useful, thank you SO MUCH! I feel better about the whole thing now, I also heard that the mascot gets shipped off to Cali for USA Mascot camp every year so that should help. I'm hoping I can go supervise and sort of get a feel for it all as well!
You are very welcome.
And side note about the USA Mascot Camp: its top notch! They bring in mascots from Disney to help teach the classes at camp. Bonus!
 
Ok, am I the only lurker on this thread who finds this fascinating? I literally had no idea about any of this...way cool. :)
 
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