{"id":211879,"date":"2020-05-21T14:51:09","date_gmt":"2020-05-21T18:51:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=211879"},"modified":"2020-05-21T15:15:29","modified_gmt":"2020-05-21T19:15:29","slug":"whos-that-bird","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2020\/05\/21\/whos-that-bird\/","title":{"rendered":"Who\u2019s That Bird?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Anyone who has met Rocky the Red Hawk knows that the extroverted mascot has never met a stranger. Hugs and high fives are his M.O. And while no one knows Rocky\u2019s identity, he\u2019s everybody\u2019s friend. Despite all that, Rocky rose to the challenge of social distancing \u2013 setting an example as Montclair State\u2019s indefatigable modeler of ideal behavior for Red Hawks.<\/p>\n

Rocky\u2019s annual \u201creveal\u201d is no different.<\/p>\n

Each year, after years of secrecy, members of Team Rocky reveal themselves at the University\u2019s Commencement by donning Rocky\u2019s big yellow talons along with their caps and gowns. But with in-person graduation postponed until it\u2019s safe to gather together, this year\u2019s graduating Rockys revealed themselves virtually \u2013 through social media.<\/p>\n

Ja\u2019Quan Dees revealed himself via a YouTube video posted to his instagram account. \u201cBeing on Team Rocky was one of the best college experiences I\u2019ve had,\u201d says Dees. \u201cI\u2019ve met people that I will call family forever and been to places that I never thought I\u2019d go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dees joins six other graduating seniors who have worked as mascots or handlers on Team Rocky. The \u201cRockys\u201d include Dees, Paul McGroarty, Mustafa Abdus-Sabuur and Josh Mariscal. The Handlers: Karina Escobar, Makena Wolcott and Lateisha Exi.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s right \u2013 Red Hawk pride is spread so wide that it takes more than one Rocky to wing it on the sidelines and appear at events all year. Team Rocky keeps a busy schedule, turning up at about 300 different events each year.<\/p>\n

Dees graduated in January with a degree in Justice Studies, but held out for the reveal until now. He\u2019s currently pursuing a master\u2019s in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Terrorism Studies at John Jay College. \u201cI plan to become a Federal agent,\u201d he reports.<\/p>\n

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Rocky and Karina Escobar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>
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Karina Escobar is graduating this May with a degree in Family Science and Human Development with a concentration in Family Services. She will attend Columbia University for her Master of Social Work in the fall.<\/p>\n

\u201cEven though I was not a Rocky, I am grateful that I was a handler,\u201d says Escobar. \u201cI was his eyes, voice and ears. Rocky truly is the embodiment of Montclair State and everyone on the team is absolutely amazing. I began on the team as a freshman and seeing where the team is now, it is insane. We grew \u2013 both in members and our Rocky status. We get recognized more and you can see that we all love being on the team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Josh Mariscal is graduating with a degree in Communication Studies with minors in Leadership Development Through Civic Engagement and Religious Studies. He plans to return to Montclair State for his master\u2019s in Higher Education.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

\u201cBeing on Team Rocky has made me realize the amount of school spirit our mascot can bring,\u201d says Mariscal. \u201cThe increase in events requesting Rocky over the years has brought people closer, and made them appreciate the campus even more than they would have, which is amazing to see as a part of the team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Makena Wolcott, who earned a degree in Psychology, agrees: \u201cTeam Rocky has allowed me to find a family on this campus that loves to spread school spirit as much as I do.\u201d Wolcott minored in Leadership Through Civic Engagement and is going to work for Disney Parks Live Entertainment in Florida as part of the creative team.<\/p>\n

Makena Wolcott and Rocky<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Mustafa Abdus-Sabuur is graduating with a degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Management and a minor in French and plans to go on to graduate school.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing a part of Team Rocky has been such a great feeling!\u201d says Abdus-Sabuur. \u201cThe Team itself \u2013 there are so many great people that make it that much better. Having the opportunity to be Rocky was an experience I\u2019ll cherish forever. Being able to see the excitement and joy on students, faculty and children\u2019s faces will always be a great memory.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Paul McGroarty, a Filmmaking major with a minor in Theatre Studies who plans to work for Disney beginning with the Disney College Program starting in August, will miss Team Rocky as much, if not more, than anyone.<\/p>\n

McGroarty is behind many of Rocky’s videos including the \u201cYear in Review,\u201d<\/a> \u201cRocky on the Street\u201d<\/a> and a video Rocky made with his buddy mascots from other schools<\/a> on Zoom, that was viewed more than 10,000 times. He has danced as Rocky at Homecoming, run Rocky\u2019s social media, brokered a meeting between Rocky and the popular new Philadelphia Flyers mascot Gritty, and even planned, with Student Communications Manager Hannah Wiese, to take Rocky to Daytona in April to compete with the cheerleaders at the NCA & NDA College Nationals<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis would have been the first time Rocky went with the team to perform,\u201d says McGroarty. \u201cWe worked really hard with them at practice, and even went to cheer camp with them in Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>

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Paul McGroarty \u201920 strikes a final pose as Rocky.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

McGroarty handled the disappointment in true Team Rocky fashion: \u201cSometimes you don\u2019t get to experience what you built. It ends up guiding and being great experiences for others.\u201d<\/p>\n

In his Instagram reveal, McGroarty thanked the University and his fellow students and apologized for the deception: \u201cFor all of you I have lied to over the years, I apologize…but it was for the greater good.\u201d<\/p>\n

All of the graduating Team Rocky members have warm words for Director of Student Communications aka \u201cRocky\u2019s Grandma\u201d Cindy Meneghin and for Wiese, the team manager and \u201cRocky\u2019s sister,\u201d who have given Team Rocky a place to roost in their office.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are really a family and it’s all because of Hannah and Cindy,\u201d says Escobar. \u201cI would not have been the person I am today if it wasn’t for both of them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey taught me how to be a better leader by listening and using creative thinking to achieve goals,\u201d says McGroarty. \u201cMontclair State\u2019s been a second home to me and I just loved every second of it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Meneghin and Wiese say that Team Rocky members put their heart and soul into the job of helping students feel a part of the Red Hawk family — from their first Rocky high five to their last.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt can be really hard not to tell anyone that you\u2019re Rocky — especially since Rocky is such a fun part of the life of the campus,\u201d says Wiese. \u201cBut for those who never tell a soul, the big reveal at the end is all the more special.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rocky the Red Hawk\u2019s Year in Review:<\/p>\n