Athletes everywhere will agree — the combination of flooding adrenaline, excitement and channeled hate for the opposition is a feeling that cannot be matched in any other arena.
When crossing the field, running onto the court or approaching the track, you come alive.
Saturday, I look forward to this experience as I participate in the first college football game of my career.
As a senior, I never expected such an opportunity.
My parents are beside themselves, concerned that their "baby" will be tackled or cause a sideline fistfight, but I'm pretty fierce. I am a Tiger, after all.
Saturday, I will fulfill a lifelong dream. I will don the infamous (and certainly germy) Tyler the Tiger suit and make my debut as the DePauw University mascot.
For many, dressing up in a furry costume in early September sounds like a death warrant, but the prospect is pretty exciting for this girl.
When I was very young, I started a list of things to do before I die, and over the years I've added some very random personal goals that I felt would add some zest to my life.
I have made some progress on this list, having worked as a tour guide in Washington, D.C., trained for roller derby and worked at a "cupcakery," but it recently dawned on me that the window of opportunity for my mascot career is quickly closing.
Though I can be peppy, I don't think a major in sociology and an athletic background in golf are appropriate qualifications to be Fredbird at a St. Louis Cardinals game or Blue at Lucas Oil Stadium.
But at DePauw, where "uncommon success" runs rampant, I will proudly take the field Saturday and find myself one step closer to personal fulfillment.
I have no idea what to expect at Saturday's football game other than some heat exhaustion, photographs with small children and balance problems.
However, I'm hoping to see a healthy crowd of DePauw students and supporters at Rose-Hulman.
As the Tigers will be taking on the Fightin' Engineers Saturday, the team — and the mascot — will need as much support as possible.
I began my mascot training regimen yesterday by drinking Gatorade Prime, listening to "Eye of the Tiger" on repeat and jogging through town in my winter coat.
I can only hope these preparations are sufficient for me to prevail in any mascot altercations, or at least allow me to remain upright when pacing the sidelines and cheering for the team.
A 45-minute drive to Terre Haute will be worth your while Saturday whether or not you're a football fan.
While watching the Tigers take down the Fightin' Engineers, you may find some entertainment on the sidelines in the form of a klutzy mascot living out a dream.
— Archer is a senior from Greencastle, Ind. majoring in English writing.
sports@thedepauw.com
