The Rowdy Mascot Program has gained momentum and launched into the next level of collegiate mascot performing.
The program now has spots for four performers with the opportunity to earn up to $10,000 in scholarships, made possible by the Rowdy Mascot Performer fund. The mascot program’s dedicated performers are motivated to leave their legacy — working to raise money to create an endowed fund with the CMU Foundation that will allow performers like themselves to receive financial support for their education. Thanks to the CMU Foundation, Swire Coca-Cola and many generous supporters, the Rowdy Mascot Performer fund is just $2,000 away from reaching their goal. With the help of their most devoted fans, the Rowdy Mascot Program can become a permanent branch of CMU’s mission.
Leading the mascot performer stampede is Luci Grooters. Grooters is from Canyon City, Colorado, studying to earn her Master of Science in Occupational Therapy degree. Her show-choir background, passion for performing arts and love of photography made her the perfect candidate to take on the role of Rowdy Mascot Program graduate assistant, and she has taken on the role in stride.
Now more than ever, fan engagement is on the rise thanks to Rowdy’s continuous appearance at campus and community events. This semester witnessed the first-ever Rowdy Spirit Games which are interactive contests hosted at sporting events like soccer and basketball. The spirit games are a way for fans to test their skills and earn some serious prizes like Arcadia gift cards and swag bags. Along with the Rowdy Spirit Games, Grooters has initiated community programming, getting involved with local humane societies, the Alzheimer Association, School District D51, Hilltop and many more. Her team’s efforts have helped spread the rowdy spirit near and far.
But Grooters isn’t alone in her efforts. The Rowdy Mascot Performer team is made up of four dedicated, spirited and enthusiastic students, and while the program must maintain a sense of mystery by omitting the names of the spirited mascot performers, it is an honor to introduce the four participants who will characterize CMU’s values behind the suit:
Rowdy #1 is a junior mechanical engineering major from Durango, Colorado. As one of two returning performers and newly designated team captain, their passion for bringing a smile to audiences’ faces and being a part of a program so integral to the culture of CMU is deeply recognizable. When they aren’t jumping at the chance to perform in front of big and small crowds alike, they enjoy reading, working out and hiking.
Rowdy #2 shares their time between being an Admissions Student Ambassador and Rowdy Mascot Performer, returning for their second year in the suit. This performer is from Thornton, Colorado, and is studying animation, film, photography and motion design. They enjoy ramping up the energy at football games, crowd surfing and showing off their skateboarding skills even in Rowdy’s big shoes.
Rowdy #3 and #4 are the program's newest performers. Rowdy #3 — a Kiowa, Colorado, native — enjoys anything creative and pours their passions into a degree in animation, film and photography. New to the suit, they are most looking forward to embracing the character’s personality and helping fire up crowds’ school spirit. They also have big dreams of mastering Rowdy’s first cartwheel. Rowdy #4 is also eager to take on this new role, having explained that they always dreamed of becoming a mascot performer since they were a kid. Outside of studying to get their business marketing and sports management degrees, they enjoy working on-campus jobs across campus and seeing how much CMU pours into the campus and the larger Grand Valley community.
As the year comes to a close, Grooters and her fleet of Rowdy Mascot Performers are driven to leave a lasting legacy at CMU. An endowed fund will create permanent funding for performer scholarships, as well as maintain the presence of everyone’s favorite mascot at all their events.
With the fan’s help, the Rowdy Mascot Program will be able to secure its spot in CMU history by raising $2,000 for the Rowdy Mascot Performer fund by the end of the year!