A day in the life of the Scarlet Knight

The first thing to know about being a mascot is that it is not easy. The second thing is that it is hot in there. Sure it looks fun, and it is. But it is also a hard day’s work. Or for me, a hard 15 minutes.
That’s how long it took me before I wanted out.
I recently had the chance to be the Scarlet Knight and jumped on it in a second. Who would pass up the chance to be that lovable, huggable mascot? Around Rutgers, the Scarlet Knight is a rock star. People stop him for pictures; ask for hugs and I even had one student get a little grope-y. I can only imagine how much action he would get around drunk people.
But beneath that fun foamy exterior lies what it’s really like.
It takes at least 15 minutes to put on the costume you see at basketball games. From the huge, clown size shoes to the seemingly HGH-induced muscles (don’t worry Knights fans, the mascot is clean). And that’s with the help of two people. Or in my case, the help of one person and another standing in the corner giggling and taking pictures.
When it finally comes to put on the head, it’s like Anakin becoming Darth Vader. There is no going back. While Anakin decided to use his Jedi powers for evil as Vader, there is none of that as a mascot. It may not be explicit, but there is definitely mascot etiquette. And there is more than you think.
“Obviously the mascot can’t speak, so you have to rely only on gestures and acting out whatever you’re trying to express,” said Kenny Kolanko, a former Rutgers mascot. “You also have to always be on your best behavior. Joking around and being entertaining are a big part of being a mascot, but you have to make sure you behave properly. There are times when you’ll be harassed or physically attacked by opposing or even by your own fans. You just have to maintain your composure and move along.  Staying out of the field of play and not interfering with athletes, coaches, referees, etc. is also very important.”
Then there is the issue of dealing with the heat. As soon as you get under the head, it gets hot quickly. On a cool and breezy 65-degree day, it felt 95 degrees in there. I think I lost five pounds in 15 minutes. Imagine how bad it can get for a September football game or any basketball game at the Louis Brown Athletic Center, where they do not let the temperature get below 80 for fear they will not sell enough water.
“I haven’t heard of any actual temperatures, but it gets extremely hot in the suit,” Kolanko said. “For early season football games or games at the RAC you’ll be sweating pretty heavily before you even make it out of the locker room. Being in shape and staying well hydrated is extremely important. Over time you do become more used to the heat and physical demands of being a mascot, but you’re always going to be hot.”
It is not all bad being the mascot though; there is a lot of upside potential.
“Being the Scarlet Knight was certainly worth it,” Kolanko said. “I was able to meet so many people, travel all over the country and experience so many things that I wouldn’t have been able to had I not been the mascot. Being at so many games and experiencing things like the Insight and Texas Bowls, Big East and NCAA tournament games, and even a National Championship game, are things I’ll never forget. I’m a huge fan and love Rutgers, so being the literal face of Rutgers and representing the University and state of New Jersey was a tremendous honor.”
If you would like to be the mascot, contact Kenny Kolanko at kkolanko@scarletknights.com

— Mike Vorkunov accepts comments and criticism at vorky31@eden.rutgers.edu