Evan Hermann is ready to sacrifice for his school, even if it means having his tail pulled or his eyes poked.
Those are two of the hazards of being a mascot at Lyons Township High School.
Hermann, a sophomore from LaGrange Highlands, was one of a handful of students to try out for a role as one of the school’s two lion-themed mascots. One is called Noil, which is lion spelled backward, and the other is Nessie. Noil is the male version and Nessie is the female.
More Top Picks Best Can Crushers
Being a mascot is long-held dream for Hermann.
“When I was in middle school my mom used to bring me to the games and I always looked up to being Noil or Nessie,” Hermann said.
During the audition on Wednesday, he and other wannabe Nessies and Noils donned a furry lion’s head and were called upon to perform skits, lead voiceless cheers (since neither Nessie or Noil speak), to dance, cavort and otherwise rally an imaginary audience.
They also had to show how they’d react to certain situations such as showing their demeanor if a referee’s call is questioned or if rival Hinsdale Central scores during a hotly contested football or basketball game.
Auditioner Virginia Leahy of La Grange, a sophomore, was trying out after being a mascot last year during the men’s basketball season. She’s aware of the pitfalls.
“My tail’s been pulled. I’ve been spanked. And then they (the perpetrators) run away and you don’t know who did it,” she said.
No matter the provocation, her reaction is to play it cool.
“I just kind of put up with it or gesture no,” Leahy said. “If they don’t catch on (and stop) you walk away.”
Lauryn McCormack of La Grange, a sophomore and current mascot, was helping with the auditions. She shared some of the sticky situations.
“We’re just making sure they’re qualified to be on the field, that they can do the job correctly and rally the crowd,” McCormack said.
Peter Geddeis, director of student activities, said he wants to add a few mascots to come up with a roster of six or seven. They perform regularly at football games, men’s basketball games and at special events. They also perform at other sports if there is a special game or meet or a coach makes a request.
“If I only have two or three, and if they have a conflict then all of sudden I don’t have a mascot,” Geddeis said.
“I’m looking for improv (skills), a recognition of how big they (their actions) have to be to communicate, and a decreasing level of embarrassment.”
He said some of the best mascots are introverts who come alive when they put on the costumes.
“It’s really cool to see how they come out of their shells,” Geddeis said.
One perk mascots have to look forward to this year is new costumes. The new gear will be debuted at homecoming in September.
“They are a lot lighter,” Geddeis said.
Current mascot Ryan Mitchell, a sophomore from Countryside, said being a mascot is fun — even if your tail is yanked on occasion.
“You get to enjoy yourself at a game instead of being in the bleachers, which is boring,” he said.
Twitter @triblocalam
More Top Picks Bose Soundtouch 300