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Issue date: 4/26/06 Section: Campus Events

Media Credit: Staff Reports Rowdy the Redbird is friends with everyone! [Click to enlarge]

Auditions for Rowdy the Redhawk will take place today in the gym of Houck Field House, with the deadline for applicants at noon. There are, as of now, five candidates for the positions.
"At the audition, we basically do an interview process," said Bobby Brune from the Athletic Marketing Department.
According to Brune, the audition has two parts: the first part is a traditional interview to get a sense of the person. It is necessary for a candidate to be responsible and great with kids.
"It also helps if they had past experience, like being a mascot in high school," Brune said.
The second part to the interview is the creative aspect.
"They perform a three-minute program to see how creative they are," Brune said.
The judges want to get a feel for the candidates' dance moves and gestures. Brune said that the candidates will be auditioning in the costume to test their movement ability.
The candidates will be judged by Brune, band director Barry Bernhardt, Rhonda Weller-Stilson from the Theater Department and the three current Rowdys.
"We hope two candidates stick out," Brune said.
The two chosen to be Rowdy will have to undergo training.
"Last year Rocky the Redbird from Memphis gave [the new Rowdys] a crash course in being a mascot," Brune said.
Brune said that the old Rowdys also help out.
"We have a great mascot right now," Brune said. "[The old Rowdys] will help show [the new birds] the ropes."
There are two full-time positions for Rowdy; the students who earn the spots will receive six credit-hour scholarships. There is one part-time position; the student who earns that spot will receive a three credit-hour scholarship.
The candidates chosen to be Rowdy will be phased into the games and appearances.
Even alumni appreciate Rowdy's efforts.
"I think it's cool to have a mascot now," said Kevin Pollock, Southeast alumnus. "It gives someone for the kids to run around and play tag with."
There is no height requirement to be Rowdy. Brune said that the tallest Rowdy was 6-5 and the shortest was 5-5.
"Sometimes he's a big bird," he said.

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