Pretty much every student on the UTM campus has seen Captain Skyhawk at an event, but they have never had the chance to meet Captain behind the scenes—until now.
Throughout the years, different students have volunteered to serve as the mascot that brings school spirit and pride to our school. Currently, a senior Public Relations major who will be graduating in December holds that position.
“I believe the way I got picked was fate. I was my high school mascot, and I wanted to do the same in college. I emailed the Athletic Director, Phil Dane, and asked him about it, and he directed me to Trudy Henderson. I met up with her when school started, and we talked about what we wanted to do,” Captain said.
After following the previous Captain around at the first football game, the new Captain was soon suiting up and loving every minute of it.
“The reason I wanted to do it is because I absolutely love it. You can act like a fool, and people accept that because you are the mascot and it’s part of the job. I love the feeling when a little kid just comes, looks at you with wide eyes, shakes your hand, then hugs you. I kind of feel like I am Martin’s Batman… without fighting crime,” Captain said.
According to Captain, some of the most unique experiences as the mascot has to do with the things children say.
“Some want to invite me over dinner. Others want me to come over and spend the night. There has never been a dull moment when I am Captain. You’ll hear some pretty crazy things,” Captain said.
Captain says some aspects of the job are better than others.
“My favorite part of being Captain Skyhawk is all the love I get from the people at UTM and Martin. They’re a big a reason why I love doing what I do. The least favorite
part of the job is how hot the suit can get and sometimes the smell,” Captain said.
There is no required training to be the UTM mascot. However, Captain does try to stay in shape so there is no worry of collapsing during the middle of a game.
The only training or practice involved is in preparation to preform a skit, so Captain can make sure that everything can be done in the suit with no problems.
The current Captain has served UTM for the past four years, and has plans to retire as Captain upon graduating in December.
“I am dreading that day. We are currently looking for someone to step in and take my spot, but so far, we’ve had no luck,” Captain said.
It would be up to Captain and other staff members in the Athletics Office to choose the next person to serve as Captain Skyhawk.
Currently, there is no fan club for Captain Skyhawk because of the lack of student involvement.
“Student attendance at football and basketball games are so low, there is hardly anyone there for me to interact with. If there’s one thing that needs to improve at UTM, it is student attendance at football and basketball games. It would make my job one hundred times more exciting if more people would come. We’ve tried many ways to get more students to come, but it just doesn’t work. That’s the only frustrating part about being Captain—your student body isn’t there to goof off with you and support the athletics,” Captain said.
Even outside of the uniform, the student that serves as Captain Skyhawk exhibits school spirit and pride.
“Half of my wardrobe consists of orange and blue. I love UTM, and I love representing UTM the way that I get to. I can’t get enough of school spirit, and I wish that everyone felt that way. UTM was the only school I applied to, because it is the only place I wanted to be. I love the town of Martin and the people in it, and I hope they love Captain just as much,” Captain said.
Captain is also very appreciative of those who help make the job possible.
“I would to thank Trudy Henderson for the wonderful opportunity she has given me and for always taking care of me. Also, thank you to Danelle Fabianich for always feeding me at the games and goofing off with Captain. I would also like to thank the wonderful Bettye Giles for supporting me and always having that big, smiling face at the games,” Captain said.
If you want to learn more about the UTM mascot, find Captain on Facebook as “CaptainSkyhawk UTM.”
