Nick Faulkner
Ms. Wuf and Mr. Wuf dance during a break in the game while the cheerleaders pump up the fans during the 76-73 buzzer-beating thriller over High Point University in PNC Arena on Dec. 16.
The faces of Mr. and Ms. Wuf are familiar to NC State sports fans. The pair appears at every football and basketball game and often makes appearances at other school events. Yet some may wonder, who is behind the costumes of our favorite mascots?
Unfortunately for the curious-minded, this is a closely guarded secret. Only the family and closest friends of Mr. and Ms. Wuf are entrusted with this knowledge.
This is a common practice among college mascots and is done to protect mascots from mischievous fans or opponents.
Becoming a mascot means becoming a member of the NC State cheerleading team and a varsity athlete. As student athletes, mascots are rewarded with unlimited access to Case Dining Hall, the Case Academic Center and NC State trainers and dieticians. They also have the opportunity to letter and become scholarship athletes.
“We are varsity athletes, we have the opportunity to letter and we have access to Case Dining Hall and the academics facilities in Case as well,” said a current Ms. Wuf mascot. “We work out with the strength and conditioning coaches and have access to dieticians and nutritionists.”
Along with their athletic duties, mascots also have the opportunity to compete in the mascot division of The National Cheerleading Association’s College Nationals in Daytona Beach, Florida, during the spring semester. This year, both Mr. and Ms. Wuf were given bids into the contest after submitting short video skits.
At the competition, which was held April 6–10, Ms. Wuf placed second and Mr. Wuf placed sixth in the nation after performing another short skit for a panel of judges.
“[This feat] was awesome for our program,” Ms. Wuf said. “We have a fairly young team this year, so it’s nice to know we only have up to go.”
Mascots’ time commitments vary depending on the semester. During the fall semester, mascots appear at every football and basketball game. During the spring semester, mascots continue to appear at every basketball game along with baseball and softball games.
Along with their sports appearances, Mr. and Ms. Wuf are often hired to appear at other community and social events such as weddings and fundraisers. A small group of mascots are rotated to relieve some of the time commitment.
“We go to a lot of club events, and we do a lot of things outside of the realm of athletics so you get a little taste of everything,” Ms. Wuf said.
Tryouts, for those who desire to become part of the secret community of mascots, will be held May 6–7. They will begin on Friday night with an informal time to become familiar with the costume and the do’s and don’ts of being a mascot.
On Saturday morning, contestants will be taken out to a venue where they can meet people as Mr. or Ms. Wuf and begin to demonstrate their skills. Later on Saturday evening, contestants will perform a short skit to further show their skills.
No previous experience is necessary to try out. Males and females are allowed to try out for either Mr. or Ms. Wuf. However, contestants must complete a medical examination before the tryouts. Contestants will be judged based on their improvements throughout the tryout process and their efforts to incorporate the instructions that are given to them.
Being a member of the mascot team allows students to experience college at NC State from a different perspective while also being part of the legacy of the school, according to Ms. Wuf.
“It’s great to be at the center of things that are going on on campus and to see things from a different point of view,” Ms. Wuf said.