Part of my interview process at Eastern Washington University was to deliver a presentation that outlined a comprehensive marketing strategy. Before I dove too deep, I wanted to give my future colleagues some background on why I enjoy working in higher education so much.

I told them it was because of the mascots.

I’m dead serious. And, yes, they still hired me 😂.

To be honest, I also told them a couple other reasons why I like higher ed, but I did show slides that showed me with furry friends from past jobs. I then told my audience that I really wanted to meet Swoop. Guess what? This past weekend, it happened.

But before we get to Swoop, I need to recognize my other homies.

I was introduced to the insane world of intercollegiate mascots at the University of Montana with Monte. In fact, I was very hands-on with UM’s grizzly bear since one of my responsibilities was to serve as the mascot coordinator. I wrote about that experience in-depth just a couple months ago.

Monte and I at the 2012 NCAA Tournament

When I moved east to work at Coastal Carolina University, it didn’t take long until I met Chauncey the Chanticleer. What is a Chanticleer, you might ask? It is a proud and fierce rooster made famous in The Canterbury Tales.

Chauncey welcomed me to CCU with open arms.

Whereas I met Chauncey relatively quickly at CCU, it took longer into my tenure at Washington State University to rub elbows with Butch. Although I had met him several times as a young fan in the 1990s, I didn’t grab a photo with him in my working capacity until a few months before I left WSU.

I met Butch on the job but I also met him at a wedding. 

Thank goodness I didn’t have to wait long to meet Swoop. This past weekend Sidney and spent a minute with him at the EWU vs. Montana State football game. He came over to where we were sitting in the Endzone Club and made our day.

Sidney and I met Swoop this past weekend.

Lucky for me, that won’t be the last of my dealings with Swoop. We get to work together tomorrow (more on this down the road) and I can’t wait. Mascots rule! Don’t Blink.