You may have wondered who the face behind the Clyde mask is, but have you ever wondered how to be that face?  

Being the Clyde mascot is a campus job, just like working at Cafe 65 or the Campus Store, designed for students with energy and passion for rousing an audience. Clyde attends roughly 30 events each semester, from basketball games to commencement.  

According to Jina Fagerburg, marketing manager and incidental Clyde program manager, the Clyde team is made up of four students in three positions. Typically, there are two Clyde actors who wear the suit and attend events. The program coordinator is responsible for all things Clyde communication. They respond to event requests and coordinate Clyde’s schedule. 

Clyde has a handler at each appearance, who can be any one of the actors, a person hired as a handler or the program coordinator. Fagerburg occasionally fills in as handler when no other students are available.  

Most everything Clyde-related is handled by the student team, including the hiring process. Fagerburg ensures the team is communicating properly and handles behind the scenes tasks, like fixing the Clyde suit if it is damaged.  

Fagerburg says the ideal Clyde candidate is energetic, entertaining and physically fit. “It’s really just having that energy, having that desire to make people happy,” she said.  

Both introverts and extroverts have assumed the Clyde persona, according to Fagerburg. “We’ve had introverted people on the team before,” she said. “Once they get into the costume, they just come alive.”  
 
No experience is required, but different students may thrive in different areas according to Fagerburg. For example, students who are cheerleaders or dancers may perform well, or students versed in sign language may brighten the experience for attendees with disabilities. 

Students are required to pass a physical exam before they can be hired as Clyde, the same kind of exam one would receive to participate in a club sport. “They need to understand this is a very physically demanding job,” Fagerburg said. “[Actors] seriously sometimes will look like they climbed out of a swimming pool, it’s just that hot and strenuous to be in [the suit] all day.” 

Clyde actors are advised to only spend 45 minutes in the suit at a time before taking a 15-minute break. Actors are expected to keep the energy up at events by moving around, greeting attendees and high-fiving people, which can be exhausting in the big, heavy Clyde suit, according to Fagerburg.  

Clyde’s top priority is boosting school spirit at major events. “We obviously want Clyde to be this likeable, friendly, engaging character around the school who kind of embodies the fun side of UCCS,” Fagerburg said. “One of the best things about the Clyde team is seeing the way people light up when they see Clyde at an event.” 

Actors should be ready to receive unconditional love from fans, especially from children. “People will get excited about seeing Clyde, especially when there are children at an event,” Fagerburg said. “Some children are frankly terrified of Clyde, but most kids are super excited to see a costume mascot. We’ve had little kids walk up and give Clyde gifts, like literally take off their bracelet and give it to him.” 

To apply for a position as Clyde, students should look on SEANS to find the application and submit a resume and cover letter. Students will be interviewed for personality and are required to pass their physical before receiving an official job offer. Due to the dimensions of the Clyde suit, only students between 5’5” and 6’2” are eligible to play Clyde.  

The Clyde application is currently closed, but it may open before the semester is over, depending on whether current actors plan to stay on the team. Applications are usually open at the beginning of the fall semester or the end of the spring semester. Students can hold the Clyde position for as long as they like, or until they graduate. 

Clyde is paid $17 an hour. Hours depend on student availability and the number of event requests but are generally flexible around students’ schedules. Clyde actors are permitted to work over the summer, but summer work is not a requirement.   

Some events Clyde is typically requested for include athletics, commencement, Clyde’s Kickoff week, the Farmer’s Market and Mountain Lion Mania. Clyde has been invited to off-campus events like Switchbacks games, the Festival of Lights Parade and CU system events like CU at the Rockies.  

“The biggest thing with the Clyde program is it should be fun,” Fagerburg said. “We want it to be fun for everyone … This should not be a boring, hard job with no reward. We want everybody to be able to enjoy Clyde.”  

Photo courtesy of the UCCS Photography Database.