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Metro's mascot retires
Rowdy's role yet to be filled, comes with full-tuition scholarship
By Ruthanne Johnson
rjohn180@mscd.edu

Metro’s athletics department held tryouts for mascot Rowdy the Roadrunner though no students tried out on Aug. 15 at the Auraria Event Center.

Metro senior Amber Michael is retiring from the position of Metro’s mascot after almost four years of sporting the oversized Rowdy the Roadrunner costume.

Upon Michael’s graduation in December, the mascot position and the full-tuition scholarship that accompanies it will be available to any qualifying full-time Metro student.

Prior to assuming the mascot’s mantle, Michael, a psychology major, worked in Metro’s athletic department rousing team spirit during halftime at Metro sporting events in 2002. She tried out after her supervisor suggested she consider the open position.

Michael was immediately hired after performing a three-minute skit about a downcast, spiritless Rowdy who ultimately found his team spirit via a group of enthusiastic student sports fans who took him under their wings. She said her first night in the Rowdy costume was fun but hot.

Since 2002 Michael has attended more than 300 events as Rowdy the Roadrunner, including volleyball, basketball and soccer games, swim meets, tennis matches, campus events and open houses.

“I love sports and my school, and Rowdy is here for the team and Metro,” she said. “I see Rowdy as that good guy who cracks jokes, flirts with the girls, and is everybody’s friend,” she said.

Michael said it was at a cheerleading camp her first year as mascot that she began to develop Rowdy’s spirited character.

“Every mascot has its own personality, and it took me my first year playing him to fully develop his character. In my performances I like to mime clap, do my signature robot, and when Metro went retro last year, I did lots of ‘70s dance moves,” Michael said, adding that she loves chasing squirrels as she walks across campus in costume because the idea of a giant bird running after a squirrel is funny.

Initially, Michael’s identity was kept secret. “With some schools and pro teams it is kind of a tradition. But it bothered me a little that I never got any recognition. I was the nameless, faceless fan, never recognized out of costume,” she said.

Michael “came out” in June on her Metro blog, telling student readers she is graduating in December and that the mascot position would soon be available.

To get the word out about the opening, the athletics department handed out flyers and posted information on Metroconnect.

There is a $25 application fee, which goes toward mascot props used in skits and other items not paid for by the school.

There is also a $25 tryout fee for the cheerleading squad, which also held its tryouts Sept. 15, at the Auraria Event Center.

Twelve undergraduates showed up for cheerleading tryouts donning smiles, ponytails and team spirit.

Michael was one of three judges who evaluated skills and poise as the Metro students, all female freshmen, performed toe-touch and pike jumps.

“I would not want the mascot position because I want to be cheering on the floor,” said freshman cheerleading hopeful Kaycee Cozart of Littleton, when asked if she had any interest in trying out as Rowdy.

Unlike the mascot position, cheerleading is a club sport at Metro, and student cheerleaders are ineligible for scholarships.

Being a mascot can come with dangers, Michael explained. The costumes are heavy and hot, sometimes so stifling that she has had to sit down for fear of passing out.

Michael said physical attacks by some opposing fans and even some Metro students have been a challenge. On her first road trip she was attacked by three Fort Hays State fans until she was saved by two male Metro cheerleaders. One day, when walking across campus to Tivoli, a Metro student shoved her from behind and she enlightened him about mascot/fan etiquette. She also said she has to be sensitive to fans with a phobia of her costume.

Michael said if the opportunity arose she would consider working as a professional mascot. “But mascot jobs are highly sought after, and rarely come open.”

Professional mascots’ salaries can start anywhere from $25,000 per year plus benefits to triple-digit incomes for exceptional entertainers. Recently, the San Diego Chicken was named as “one of the 100 most powerful people in sports for the 20th century” by The Sporting News.

Michael said she wants to make sure her successor is just as spirited and energetic as she. “It will take a special person to fill Rowdy’s suit,” she said.

For questions about the mascot position contact Amber Michael at michaeam@mscd.edu.