How to Train a Mascot

Team mascots are an integral part of sporting events. Mascots are celebrities and, regardless of who is wearing the costume, the team mascot must portray a consistent, positive image. Team mascots are particularly important to children. Training the mascot to be child-friendly and family-oriented will increase ticket sales. Mascots also must know how to avoid contentious adults. Ultimately, a mascot is a link between the fans and the team, and must be adaptable to any situation.

Instructions

    • 1

      Attend a few games with the trainee and watch how the current mascot behaves. Fans want a mascot to maintain it's personality regardless of who is inside the costume.

    • 2

      Ask the trainee to write down some characteristic traits of the mascot -- sneaky, playful, flirtatious.

    • 3

      Describe for the trainee how the franchise wants fans to perceive the mascot. Compare the trainee's interpretation with that of the franchise and discuss the differences. Decide with the trainee how he will adjust the mascot's behavior to align with the franchise's vision.

    • 4

      Establish routines for specific circumstances with fans. Discuss with the trainee how to interact with the team's cheerleaders, as well as appropriate behavior when around children, couples, groups of men or women, and fans from another team.

    • 5

      Create a problematic scenario for the mascot, such as an angry or inebriated fan. Give the trainee some good solutions for quickly getting out of tricky situations.

    • 6

      Put the trainee in the mascot costume to practice the routines. Encourage the trainee and focus on what he is doing correctly.

    • 7

      Go into the stadium and practice movements in the bleachers and in the field. Tell the trainee exactly when the mascot is allowed on the playing field.

    • 8

      Send the mascot into the stadium for shorter shifts at first. Let him get used to the pressure of being watched by hundreds or thousands of fans. Provide plenty of positive reinforcement.