NAME: Scott Hesington
CURRENT MASCOT POSITION: Rocky Bearboa, with the brand new professional ice hockey team, the Arkansas Riverblades of the ECHL
HOW LONG? Just a month, that's when the team was established
HISTORY OF MASCOTTING: Mascot for the Arkansas Razorbacks, Boss Hog, for three eventful years (1994-1997); worked for Universal Cheerleading Association as a mascot instructor for three summers throughout the country; won Grand Champion twice and Leadership Award at the largest cheer and mascot camp in the world (Milwaukee, WI), in a competition of over 40 mascots, including some that went on to win Nationals (If only I would have made time to compete!); worked for Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, as character performer and trainer, including at least a dozen different roles, such as Pluto, the Mad Hatter, Eeyore, Buzz Lightyear, Rafiki, etc.; hired on as Director of Entertainment and Mascot Events for the Arkansas Riverblades' inaugural season as Rocky Bearboa, a huge and mischievous black bear
HOW DID YOU GET INTERESTED IN MASCOTTING: Unlike many in this field, I got a late bloom. I wasn't really looking for this exact activity, but I was looking for something to keep me involved with the athletic program of the University of Arkansas. I had been in the Razorback Marching and Pep Bands for three years prior, and was ready to try something new and adventurous. During one of the games in which I was performing the national anthem solo on my trumpet, the enormous red pig came up to my side. I thought at that moment that he had an incredible job, and one I might fit in well with as a former "class clown." If only I knew how to get that opportunity...not more than two weeks later, the school newspaper had in its classifieds the dates for upcoming cheerleading and mascot tryouts. I knew it was my sign and maybe my only chance. If I did not make this, I was going to play for the Rugby team. Lo and behold, it came to be. And it consumed me for the next three years, as I knew it wouldn't end there. I kept it always in the front of my mind to constantly search for new opportunities in the mascot realm. Thank God for placing it in my path, because as it once cost me so much time I could not keep a steady job, now it is paying my bills.
