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

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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

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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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BY T.J. Km omecoming, Quest seminars and concerts donlt appear out of thin air. Parents weekend, Hurricane Howl and Homecoming are events that require planning, prepara- tion and dedication. As the new director of Student Activities, Steve Sutton is responsible for advising the program- ming boards for these student events. Through leadership training, Sutton intends to tlfocus on the nuts and bolts of leadership? Renee Dickens, the new assistant director, is concerned with developing a better relationship between Student Activities and other departments. Sutton and Dickens were hired to replace Jody Kalman and Clayton Randall, who both resigned. tlUM is a great place to be? said Dickens. llIt has a lot of potential to do some really wonderful things because of the people who are here, but we need to step back and look at things with new eyes? Together, Sutton and Dickens plan to revamp the way students get involved with campus activities. llWe want to reach out to all cam- pus groups so they can reach the full complement of their college experi- ence? said Sutton. le like to attract students to the office by working Closely with all of the organizations on campus to let them know we are here for them? ttWe work with the students and have educational and social activities? Dickens said. the want students to develop skills to work with other people, skills for the future? Sutton says he will use the office as a resource center for students interested in finding out about campus activities. 22 Features New Faces The Offices of Student Life and Student Activities underwent staff changes as the school year began. Patricia Whitely, Steve Sutton and Rene Dickens got off to a busy start in their new positions. photo by Joel L. Holzman Steve Sutton is new to Student Activities, but not to UM. Sutton served as manager of the Rathskeller in 1992. PATRICIA WHITELY Patricia Whitely, former associate director of Residence Halls, was named director of Student Life and the Whitten University Center. She is also responsible for advising Student Government. My job is to enhance the extracurricular involvement for students outside the classroom, she said. I'm proactive in terms of student needs and I have an open door policy. I want to be seen as someone students can go to talk about a number of needs. Whitely says her experience work- ing in the residence halls and her expe- rience as a commuter student during her college years makes the perfect combi- nation to understanding student needs. I understand the schedules of com- muters and am sensitive to it, she said. Whitely graduated from St. Johns University in New York with a degree in finance management. There she served as vice president for student govern- ment. She received her master's degree in higher education from the University of South Carolina and completed her doctorate in higher education at UM this year. tWhitelyl has been here and has distinguished herself in her work with students and faculty, Butler said. She has been outstanding in her excellent work. STEVE SUTTON Though Sutton is new to Student Activities, he is not new to UM. He served as manager of the Rathskellar for almost a year before moving into his present position. William Butler, vice president for Student Affairs, said he hired Sutton as director after he saw how hard he worked