{"id":209876,"date":"2019-05-28T16:09:13","date_gmt":"2019-05-28T20:09:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=209876"},"modified":"2019-05-28T16:14:09","modified_gmt":"2019-05-28T20:14:09","slug":"rockys-big-reveal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2019\/05\/28\/rockys-big-reveal\/","title":{"rendered":"Rocky\u2019s Big Reveal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Did you see Rocky \u201cgraduate\u201d from Montclair State University? The ceremony was the big reveal of the true identity of the Red Hawk mascot. But here\u2019s some more \u201cbeaking\u201d news: Red Hawk pride is spread so wide it takes more than one Rocky to wing it on the sidelines and nest at hundreds of events each fall and spring.<\/p>\n

That explains the triple feature Rocky, Rocky II <\/em>and Rocky III<\/em> at graduation when mascots are allowed to wear the bright yellow talons one last time. In all, seven mascots and handlers were members of the Class of 2019. Their secret lives came as a big surprise.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were a few friends who came up to me who said \u2018I knew it was you,<\/em>\u2019 but all of my friends in my major were shocked,\u201d says Katie Lanigan, who received a degree in History with a minor in Leadership Through Civic Engagement.\n

Outside of class, Lanigan was quietly building a highlight reel, including debuting Roxy the Red Hawk. \u201cWe revealed her at Rocky’s 17th birthday party and she was a hit,\u201d says Lanigan. \u201cI loved creating her character and having her become known on campus.\u201d<\/p>\n

Team Rocky keeps a busy schedule, turning up at about 300 different events each year. The mascots and handlers are all volunteers dedicated to promoting school spirit. \u201cWhen you\u2019re in the suit, you get to break out of a shell that you could never possibly do in your own body,\u201d says Amy Zaniewski, a Boonton, New Jersey, resident who graduated with a degree in Psychology, minor in Social Work and certificate in Child Advocacy. \u201cBut as Rocky, it\u2019s easy. Nearly everyone adores seeing him around campus.\u201d<\/p><\/div>

\"Female<\/figure><\/div><\/p><\/div>
\nMario Papa hosted the episodes of \u201cRocky on the Street<\/a>,\u201d the fast-paced \u201cstudent-on-the-street\u201d YouTube videos featuring interviews on pressing college life questions. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Television and Digital Media with a concentration in Sports Media Journalism, hosting came naturally to Papa.<\/p>\n

Graduation gave the Staten Island, New York, native a chance to tell all: Remember Rocky from the 2018 Commencement? Red Hawk Day 2017? \u201cMy friends were indeed shocked when they saw I had the feet on,\u201d Papa says. \u201cThey all loved it! So many people took pictures of me with the feet on \u2026 and I got a lot of looks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Team Rocky participates at events both on and off campus, at schools, races and athletic events. \u201cAs Rocky, I have interacted, entertained, and danced for thousands of students and faculty,\u201d says Langian who grew up in Woodbridge, New Jersey. \u201cThe most famous person I performed for was the former president of Ecuador \u2013 and yes that actually happened. Exposing my secret identity was a perfect end to my Rocky career.\u201d<\/p>\n

Congratulations to all the mascot graduates: Vienna Bonato, Jesse Bush, Maggie Evans, Desiree Habersham, Katie Lanigan, Mario Papa and Amy Zaniewski.<\/p>\n

Team Rocky<\/a> has big feet to fill.<\/p>\n