Playing the role of the mascot for any team is hard work. From the Famous Chicken to the Banana Slug, mascots have been revered and ridiculed at sporting events everywhere.
As Homecoming centers around football, the sometimes-lovable physical representation of the Dartmouth Big Green cannot be ignored. Even the infamous Dartmouth moose is not immune to the hullabaloo that often surrounds mascots.
The Dartmouth spoke with the moose man himself, Chance Hill '01, one of the many people who have taken their turn at rousing the crowd at Dartmouth's football games.
D: How did you end up being the moose?
M: Well, interviews were held for the position a while back. I went " there were about seven of us " and I somehow got the job.
D: What's the deal with the costume?
M: Originally, it was a furry costume. But then the Athletic Department decided to get a new inflatable one " maybe to make it more modern or something. It's the same type of suit as the one Nebraska uses. But I'm not going to wear it this year. I'm wearing the furry one.
D: Did the fact that a lot of people seemed to dislike the new moose, which was referred to as a "huge inflatable atrocity" by one student, influence your decision to bring back the furry costume?
M: No, actually a lot of people, especially little kids, really liked the inflatable one. The problem is I can't move in it. One time I went over to the Columbia [University football team's] side and pretty much got my butt kicked by the Columbia line. I couldn't move so I basically got pummeled.
D: That stinks. Any other interesting encounters with opposing teams as the inflatable moose?
M: Yeah, I waddled over to the Yale side one time. I stood right next to a big Yale player " must have been a defensive back or something. He turned and looked at me and said, "Get the f&%@ out of here." I left as quickly as I could but, you know, I can't move that fast.
D: How is the temperature inside the costume?
M: It can get pretty hot in there. One time, after a long, long night before a game, I had to get out of the costume at one point and well, you know...
D: No, I don't. What happened?
M: Well, I don't think you'll want to print it.
D: I'll print it. What happened?
M: I had to get out and throw up. Not because of the long night but more because the heat that got to me.
D: Ahh, the trials and tribulations of being a mascot. Anything else that stinks about the job?
M: I did a parade last year " I stood up and got booed by some old-timers who wanted [Dartmouth's former mascot] the Indian.
D: Is there anything good about being the moose man?
M: All the little girls and boys love me. Well, most of them do. Some come up to me and try to punch me.
D: What about the Dartmouth student response to you?
M: Most people are really supportive. It can be embarrassing at times though. I was at some special College dinner for athletes in Westside, and I decided to walk through Food Court when I left. I got to the exit and couldn't get through. I kept backing up and hitting my head on the top of the doorway. I had to deflate by pushing a button on the inside, walk through, and then reinflate. Everybody in Food Court cheered when I finally got through.
D: I've noticed you do the inflating-deflating thing often at games. Is there a reason for this?
M: It's the one trick I can do. Moving around is hard work so I have to entertain the crowd somehow.
D: Well, I'll be disappointed to see the old furry costume at Homecoming but if it makes you a happier mascot, I guess it's okay. Thanks for speaking with me. Go BIG GREEN!