In the past few years, Colorado Mesa University’s (CMU) mascot, Rowdy, has undergone several changes.
Before Rowdy received the identity students and staff have come to love today, CMU’s mascot was known as the Maverick. It comprised several different animals from 1929–four years after its establishment as a junior college–until 2008.
“Before they had a suit, they just had live animals, which they’ve done forever, and actually it wasn’t called Rowdy,” Mascot Program Coordinator Jeremy Smith said. “They have named him several different things throughout the years, but then Rowdy happened in the early 2000s. In 2008, the cheerleaders had a contest and we actually gave him a name, and that’s where Rowdy came from.”
As CMU grew with the years, the need for a more fitting mascot became increasingly apparent. Even after Rowdy’s naming in 2008, the mascot had not been brought to its full attention–that is, until Smith called attention to the project at hand.
“I think that because Rowdy is such a big part of our identity here at CMU, we should bump up Rowdy and give him a makeover. I wrote President Foster, [the CMU president at the time], and basically said the same pitch: “we need a better representation of our mascot if we want to be the institution we want to be,”
After Foster’s approval of the idea, he appointed Smith as Mascot Program Coordinator and Smith began to build his team. Though the performers have changed in the past couple of years, Office Manager and junior in musical theater, Emily Skinner has persisted as a major aid in the program.
“My favorite part is getting to be behind the scenes of everything,” Skinner said. “As a manager, I also get to handle [Rowdy] sometimes if no performers are available to handle him. So I get to go out there and be with Rowdy and do all the different events with him sometimes. So that’s really fun, but I like being organized, so scheduling is also fun for me.”
With each year, new Mavs rise to the challenge of performing as Rowdy. This year, there are three student performers who will split the responsibility and privilege of bringing joy to campus. While each performer has different reasons for taking on the mascot mantle, they all have a common theme: a love of CMU and its community.
“[I became Rowdy] to give back to the community, give back to CMU and see how excited people are. It’s super cool going out as Rowdy,” junior in history and Rowdy performer Jared Henderson said. “You bring joy to everyone.”
Though Rowdy performers were traditionally a volunteer-based role, Smith believes that the job demands proper compensation; consequently, one of the first things Smith did with the mascot program is adding a scholarship and salary.
“[The program] was a total 100% volunteer basis. And I felt like that that wasn’t necessarily the coolest thing, because I don’t think people realize how much work actually goes into performing; I think they think you put on a suit and go around and act goofy. But there’s a lot of time commitment, because Rowdy gets pulled into [events] all the time that he has to show up for. So we started a scholarship program, and we made the decision that each performer… [receives] $1,000 scholarships for each year they’re in the program, to give back to them and say hey, we really do appreciate you…” said Smith
Because of Smith, Skinner and the dedication of several other Mavs, Rowdy has undergone massive improvements in the previous two years. However, their mission is not finished. Smith hopes to make Rowdy more accessible and well-known to everyone on campus within the coming years.
“I want to get Rowdy out as much as possible. Before, we hit the ‘big’ sporting events only, like football and basketball. I want to try to expand Rowdy’s appearances,” Smith said. “One of the things that we do, is appearances for any clubs, student organization, department–anything that’s affiliated with CMU–and appearances are free.”
To book an appearance from Rowdy, visit coloradomesa.edu/Rowdy, and click on the ‘Hire Rowdy!’ tab. Please ensure that all appointments are requested two weeks or more in advance. And don’t forget:
“If people see Rowdy out and about, don’t be shy to come over and say hello, because he’s out there for the students, and nothing else–just to be with them, and enjoy whatever the event is with them,” Skinner said.
