University of Miami - Ibis Yearbook (Coral Gables, FL)

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81 could make a totalfaol 0f Behind the e scenes . For the first time in 10 years, students are playing the part of Sebastian the Ibis BY KEN DEMBOR irst J ay Leno assumed Johnny Carsonts throne. Then Conan O3Brien replaced David Letterman on Late N ight. N 0w two relative unknowns are taking over for J ohn Routh as Sebastian the Ibis. After a decade of delighting Canes fans at the Orange Bowl and Mark Light Stadium, Routh has left the University of Miami for the big leagues. In February 1993, Routh, the original Miami Maniac and best known as Sebastian the Ibis, was hired by the Florida Marlins to create a new mascot just as he did in 1983 as the Maniac. To fill the enormous shoes of thebest mascot in college sports, the Athletic Department Chose not to hire another full- time Sebastian. Traditionally tuntil the earEy 198019 the mas- cot had been an undergraduatE, and when Routh left, students get their first chance in a decade to play the UM mascot. Senior Aaron Wessner and sophomore J ohn Butler were the lucky pair selected to take the place of a collegiate mascot legend. When asked whether he felt pressure to be the same type of character as J ohn Routh had been, Wessner replied, 81 deflnitely felt pressure at first. There1s always pressure when you follow someone who has done a great job for ten years? In 1983, head baseball coach Ron Fraser lured Routh away from the University of South Carolina. When Fraser offered him the Miami job, Routh had to choose between a full-tuition graduate scholarship to continue as 8Cocky the Gamecock3 and an uncertain future as a new mascot. Routh chose Miami and the rest is history. After develop- ing the costume 0f the Miami Maniac, in 1984 Routh took over Sebastian the Ibis, the longtime football mascot. Routh altered the costume to make it easier to survive per- forming for five hours at the Orange Bowl, and then redesigned 20 Features

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to pass a Dade County building inspection. Verazain, who weathered the storm with her family dog in the bathroom, said she is still luckier than many others who suffered from Andrew. tISome people in Homestead and Cutler Ridge still donIt have homes? Verazain said. ttThey are the city's first priority? Despite the destruction wrought by Andrew, some students managed to come out ahead. Senior Karen Samole lost a Kendall home but gained a fiance. III spent the storm with my family in the hall- way? Samole said. IIThe front door blew in, the win- dows broke and we had water up to our ankles. It was hell. I thought I was going to die? IA family friend had asked if I wanted to move in with his family after the storm and sleep on the couch. I said yes. We started dating afterwards and we got married in November? she said. Samole has learned to look at the bright side. IIIf it werenit for Andrew, we wouldnit have gotten mar- ried? she said. photos by J.C. Ridley UM graduate Suscia Bathgate, top and left, had to start from scratch when Hurricane Andrew flattened her South Dade home. It was like a bomb had gone off except there were no bodies and no blood. Features 1 9

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the Ibis logo as well. The leaner, meaner Sebastian permanently replaced older versions of the bird. For years Routh served double duty during the College World Series, as the Maniac. When Blockbuster Video mogul Wayne Huizenga suc- cessfully landed an expansion franchise, his first choice for a mascot was the local hero, Routh. Complicating the difficult decision was for- mer UM Athletic Director Dave Maggard. In 1992 Maggard dragged out contract negotiations with Routh for months, finally begrudging the mascot a one-year contract in May 1992. In the spring of 1993, Maggard, learning from the previous years debacle, offered Routh a 3-year extension in January. At the time Routh said, ffltts really tough to comment either way...I have a lot of feelings for the University of Miami? On February 19, 1993 The Miami Hurricane reported that Routh was leaving UM to become Billy the Marlin. Even after ten years at Miami, Routh was still not considered a full-time employee, paying for his own insurance and retirement fund; his salary was less than $25,000, although his total income was $60,000 with merchandising royal- ties and personal appearance fees. Since a student last held the job, Sebastian has arguably become the second most visible mascot in college sports behind only the N otre Dame leprechaun. During the 1993 Big East Basketball Tournament, JV cheerleader Rick Marroquin, a senior, became the first student in nearly ten years to play Sebastian. While those in the crowd probably couldnlt tell the difference, Marroquin was excited. ffIt was like I could make a total fool of myself and get away with it? Marroquinls job, though, was temporary. In April 1993, the Athletic Department announced open tryouts for students interested in playing the bird. The auditions involved two rounds. In the first part, the candidates had to perform a skit to music and act out an improvised scenario. The five student finalists then performed for a half- inning each at the April 13 UM-FIU baseball game. A panel of ten judges, includ- ing defensive end Darren Krein and cheerleader cap- photo by J.C. Ridley Students Aaron Wessner and John Butler shared the role of Sebastian the Ibis during the 1993-94 season. myselfand get away with it? tain Lila Chamberlain, were responsible for selecting the new mascots. Two were chosen to represent Sebastian, with one alternate. The new mascots received full training, including a week at the Universal Cheerleaders Association camp. Since it had been quite some time since the UM ibis had made an appearance at the training camp, other mascots were eager to meet the well-known Sebastian. Wessner says that several other college mascots had their pic- tures taken alongside Sebastian. Of course, Orange Bowl crowds are always tough to please. The difficult task of taking over from a legend is even harder in front of fans willing to boo former first-string quarterback Frank Costa when he enters a game for mop-up duty. 91 was pleasantly surprised? said Wessner. ffIt would have been easy for fans to rip into us, but they haventtf, When asked whether the University was get- ting more for its money by choosing student mascots over a professional, Wessner was firm in his commitment. ffYoulve got to be realistic. Scholarship money is tight. To be honest, I would have done it for free. It would have been nice to be on scholarship, but its great just to get the compli- mentsf, Wessner and Butler each work one half of all home football games to ensure a fair chance for both to play the part of Sebastian. Once the basketball and baseball seasons begin, though, the duo will alternate home games, as well as traveling to the Big East Tournament. The personal appearances also keep the pair busy. ffFor every game there are at least two or three other appearances; it keeps us almost as busy as the games? said Wessner. - As Wessner and Butler got used to playing Sebastian, Routhts first season as Billy the Marlin drew to a close. While the Marlins didntt make the playoffs, it wonft be long until Routh is back on national television entertaining fans at the ballpark as well as those watching on at home. For Routh, it is still strange to see a UM game from the stands or watch it on television. The UM-Syracuse game was Routhls first as 'a spectator in the Orange Bowl. 111 do really miss being the Ibis. At the Syracuse game, when the smoke went off, I got goosebumps? Features 21