November 25, 2005 at 8:11 a.m.
Where’s Wally?
Where’s Wally?
That creature, Wally the Wildcat, has been spotted in elementary school classrooms, at a variety of school fundraisers, in a community parade and even at an occasional birthday party. However, your best shot at getting a glimpse of this less than ferocious feline is at a CLHS athletic event.
Wally’s been around for a while. Traditionally, the Wildcat would make periodic appearances at “Big Games.” It was unusual that the same person would don the “Cat Suit.” No single person had taken on that duty.
We have a change. Starting with the boys’ basketball season in 2004, one person has taken over the job. That person’s identity has always been something of a mystery. Some people know who inhabits the Wally costume. It’s this reporter’s hope that the person inside the suit maintains that “relative anonymity” even after this article is published.
While wearing the costume, that person has assumed the persona of Wally. From here forward, that person will be referred to as “Wally.” For my convenience, we will assume Wally is female.
The current Wally first became interested in “Mascotting” after CLHS social studies teacher and cheerleading adviser Melissa Lideen asked if she was interested in being a cheerleader. Wally, a CLHS two-sport athlete, didn’t think that was the right fit. Then, the conversation turned to the possibility of wearing the Wildcat costume. Wally thought that was, “More down my line.” (Wally does speak, though rarely while in costume.)
Wally’s first official appearance was at a boys’ basketball game. At first, she felt, “A little self-conscious.” Gradually, she became more comfortable in her new skin. The feeling that, “nobody knew” who was inside the suit helped her develop the character.
Lideen and Wally agree that “The Wally Character” is the concept they want to project. Wally, in their view, is the embodiment of school spirit. That school spirit is more important than who occupies the costume. That being said, the person inside the ‘Cat suit has been instrumental in the development of Wally’s character. One would not have been possible without the other.
Wally was such a big hit at boys’ basketball that appearances at girls’ basketball and hockey games (both girls and boys) were next, followed by wrestling. Wally even went to a swimming meet. “Ooh, that was hot,” she confessed.
Soon, Wally was asked to read in elementary classrooms (quite a trick, since a mute mascot is not especially interesting as an orator). That hurdle was cleared by bringing a friend to read the book. Meanwhile, Wally provides actions that the kids seem to like.
Other appearances in the community have become fairly commonplace. Readers may have seen the mascot at local businesses hosting school fundraisers, autographing books and photos at a middle school book fair or in the Karl Oskar Days parade (at 104 degrees).
This fall, fans could have seen Wally at most of the CLHS home football games, including homecoming. Last season, the ski coach asked if Wally would put on a pair of skis and make a descent at a ski meet... “Maybe this year.”
A few Wildcat sightings are even possible at spring 2006 track meets.
Wally’s favorite athletic appearances are at basketball games. “I can be out on the floor with the team, harass the refs and move so easily into the crowd.” She did add, “Hockey fans are the wildest.”
Wearing the costume presents a variety of challenges. The temperature in the suit is almost always an issue. “It’s so hot in there that I lose about 10 lbs. in the first couple of weeks of a new season. I stay light for the whole season,” Wally related. (Athletic Trainer Johnson would likely recommend frequent hydration).
“The costume has wide feet, so I have pretty good balance. But, I have to look out of the mouth. I can see straight ahead, but I have no peripheral vision. And, of course, I can’t see behind me at all. So, I tend to be very careful where I go. I like to keep walls and fences at my back.” Wally has a habit of holding on to her tail so nobody has the chance to pull it.
According to Wally, wearing the head is like carrying books on one’s head. “It’s pretty heavy. There’s a strap that holds the head on. But, the head’s not connected to the body. Fans sometimes ask me to spin the head around, like Goldy. But, the strap prevents that,” continued the friendly feline. (Goldy is the University of Minnesota Mascot)
As a reminder of the selective vow of silence that Wally has taken, she wore tape on her mouth the first week she portrayed the Wildcat. While costumed, she does speak to a selected few. Wally talks to Mrs Lideen, school principals and her parents on occasion.
She has also appeared as “Safety Pup” for the Lakes Area Police Department (LAPD.) The Pup suit has a fan mounted in the head, an option that makes wearing it a bit more comfortable.
Wally seems to take particular pleasure in interacting with small children. “Sometimes small kids are afraid of me at first. Usually, by the end of season, they’ll let me hold them. They ask me questions like; Where do you live? Why don’t you talk? Why do you only have four fingers? And, they always say - Are you gonna’ eat me?”
Entertaining kids might be satisfying, but Wally does some things because they’re just plain fun. “I have snuck up on cheerleaders from other teams,” she said, with a devious smile on her face.
Wally feels pretty comfortable in her role. Although, she’s had a lot of encouragement, she’s not sure if she’d consider mascotting after she graduates.
“Several staff members have told me that the costume brings out the best in me. When I get to an event, the atmosphere brings out the intense school pride that I feel. The mascot brings out more of my personality,” Wally continued.
Lideen added, “Wally has become very recognizable. She’s has been a very positive character and has done a lot for school spirit, especially among younger kids. It gives them a way to identify with the high school. And, the other kids at CLHS have become very protective of the mascot.
“We have a strong tradition of mascotting here in Chisago. For example, a former Wally was the Hockey Husky at St. Cloud State. That tradition has become even stronger with one person in the costume,” Lideen continued.
The next time you see Wally, enjoy her antics, appreciate the time and dedication it has taken to become Wally and think about the school and community pride that she represents.
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