Monte to leave UM sidelines this spring
10/24/2003 12:00:00 AM | General
Monte will soon be hanging up his paws.
This is Monte's last year as the University of Montana's cuddly mascot. Monte, who graduated from UM last year, is working with an agent who places mascots in the NBA. Although his agent is optimistic about a career in the professional arena, Monte said he is embracing the time he has left at UM and is focused on finding a replacement.
Auditions are being held Oct. 30 for anybody interested in filling the big bear feet. The auditions are open to all community members. However, a strong consideration will be given to students, he said.
Monte assures the position is neither a hobby nor a part-time job.
"It's nearly a full-time position," he said. "People don't have any clue what it takes."
Monte has been performing for Griz fans for the past three years. He has revolutionized the Grizzly mascot by gaining community support, becoming independently funded apart from the university, adjusting the suit so it is easier to maneuver in, finding ways to communicate to the crowd without the ability to speak and being a role model for the community's children.
"Next to my dog, Monte is the most important thing," Monte said. "I live it and I sweat it. To a 25-year-old, it's a guy dancing around in a suit. To an 8-year-old, it's a role model. Through the eyes of this bear, I have seen kids leave a room who are terminally ill and they haven't left in a long time."
Soon though, two new people will have the opportunity to see through the bear's eyes.
Since winning the National Mascot of the Year title in January of 2003, the demand for Monte, and the time commitment that follows, is too much for one person to handle, he said. Most universities have at least four mascots, he said, so even selecting two Monte's for next year is the bare minimum.
"There are all kinds of things going on all the time," he said. "One person would just go out of their mind."
As well as performing at most UM athletic collegiate events, Monte also appears at charity functions, school assemblies, birthday parties, and hospitals, to name a few. He is involved in a large fund-raiser for the Ronald McDonald House and is raffling off a Monte playhouse that employees from Home Depot helped him build.
Although the mascot standards are the highest they have ever been, Monte is not worried about finding a talented replacement. People will audition before a panel of five judges, including the dance and cheerleading program adviser, UM athletics marketing director, two community members, and Monte himself. They are looking for dance abilities, gymnastics, humor and use of props and music.
What the panel is not looking for is someone who could commit only 10 hours a week, someone leaving or graduating in a year or someone with the idea that Monte has to have the same attitude and style he does now.
"We are looking for someone who can break dance better, jump a little higher ... knows magic," he said. "I hate I don't know magic."
Impromptu is especially critical. When there's a timeout, all eyes find you, he said.
"When there's 23,000 people watching, failing is not an option," he said.
But this shouldn't scare people away from auditioning. There will be extensive training before anyone is required to ride motorcycles and do back flips in a bear suit, said Christie Anderson, the dance and cheerleading adviser.
If students have even the slightest interest, Monte recommends trying out.
"I have about .1 percent gymnastic ability," he said. " You'll surprise yourself once you get in the suit. I can do things inside it I can't do out of it. No one expects you to be perfect."
An informational meeting for anyone interested will be held Thursday in the Adams Center lobby from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. People trying out will have one week to put together a routine and perform before the judges wearing the bear suit. Once the two finalists have been selected, training will begin as early as next semester and they will perform at the first home football game next fall.
The replacements can look forward to working with the "Monte Posse," which consists of two assistants that help Monte get through crowds and handle props. Also, a scholarship program is being established for each of the mascot positions.
Despite the work involved, the position has great potential, Monte said.
"I could be here for 10 more years and not even scratch the surface of what this program could be," he said. "I think it's the best program in the nation."
This is Monte's last year as the University of Montana's cuddly mascot. Monte, who graduated from UM last year, is working with an agent who places mascots in the NBA. Although his agent is optimistic about a career in the professional arena, Monte said he is embracing the time he has left at UM and is focused on finding a replacement.
Auditions are being held Oct. 30 for anybody interested in filling the big bear feet. The auditions are open to all community members. However, a strong consideration will be given to students, he said.
Monte assures the position is neither a hobby nor a part-time job.
"It's nearly a full-time position," he said. "People don't have any clue what it takes."
Monte has been performing for Griz fans for the past three years. He has revolutionized the Grizzly mascot by gaining community support, becoming independently funded apart from the university, adjusting the suit so it is easier to maneuver in, finding ways to communicate to the crowd without the ability to speak and being a role model for the community's children.
"Next to my dog, Monte is the most important thing," Monte said. "I live it and I sweat it. To a 25-year-old, it's a guy dancing around in a suit. To an 8-year-old, it's a role model. Through the eyes of this bear, I have seen kids leave a room who are terminally ill and they haven't left in a long time."
Soon though, two new people will have the opportunity to see through the bear's eyes.
Since winning the National Mascot of the Year title in January of 2003, the demand for Monte, and the time commitment that follows, is too much for one person to handle, he said. Most universities have at least four mascots, he said, so even selecting two Monte's for next year is the bare minimum.
"There are all kinds of things going on all the time," he said. "One person would just go out of their mind."
As well as performing at most UM athletic collegiate events, Monte also appears at charity functions, school assemblies, birthday parties, and hospitals, to name a few. He is involved in a large fund-raiser for the Ronald McDonald House and is raffling off a Monte playhouse that employees from Home Depot helped him build.
Although the mascot standards are the highest they have ever been, Monte is not worried about finding a talented replacement. People will audition before a panel of five judges, including the dance and cheerleading program adviser, UM athletics marketing director, two community members, and Monte himself. They are looking for dance abilities, gymnastics, humor and use of props and music.
What the panel is not looking for is someone who could commit only 10 hours a week, someone leaving or graduating in a year or someone with the idea that Monte has to have the same attitude and style he does now.
"We are looking for someone who can break dance better, jump a little higher ... knows magic," he said. "I hate I don't know magic."
Impromptu is especially critical. When there's a timeout, all eyes find you, he said.
"When there's 23,000 people watching, failing is not an option," he said.
But this shouldn't scare people away from auditioning. There will be extensive training before anyone is required to ride motorcycles and do back flips in a bear suit, said Christie Anderson, the dance and cheerleading adviser.
If students have even the slightest interest, Monte recommends trying out.
"I have about .1 percent gymnastic ability," he said. " You'll surprise yourself once you get in the suit. I can do things inside it I can't do out of it. No one expects you to be perfect."
An informational meeting for anyone interested will be held Thursday in the Adams Center lobby from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. People trying out will have one week to put together a routine and perform before the judges wearing the bear suit. Once the two finalists have been selected, training will begin as early as next semester and they will perform at the first home football game next fall.
The replacements can look forward to working with the "Monte Posse," which consists of two assistants that help Monte get through crowds and handle props. Also, a scholarship program is being established for each of the mascot positions.
Despite the work involved, the position has great potential, Monte said.
"I could be here for 10 more years and not even scratch the surface of what this program could be," he said. "I think it's the best program in the nation."
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