Hidden in about 20 pounds of material is one of the students that portrays Freddy Falcon, University of Texas Permian Basin’s mascot.
This is Sophia Rutledge’s first year as Freddy and she had never been a mascot before.
“I’ve always loved to dance and I saw that they were looking for a Freddy and I interviewed,” Rutledge said.
It took some adjusting to get used to the costume.
“It’s kind of like a football helmet and it’s mostly just keeping your temperature down, making yourself cool. … There’s two Freddies. It’s me and one other girl, Angelina (Cruse), and we switch out. That’s how we kind of keep our temperature down and (we) make sure to check on one another,” Rutledge said.
She guessed that the suit weighs about 20 pounds, especially with the helmet.
Rutledge isn’t on the cheerleading team, but she’s associated with it. She’ll be heading to the national competition with the cheerleaders in April.
Rutledge said she being out there with crowds of spectators in the Freddy costume is kind of liberating because very few people know who she is.
“Of course the team knows, but very few people know who I am. And so you get to just make people excited. Kids want to high-five you left and right. You get to dance your heart out. It’s very freeing, like no embarrassment; nobody knows who it is,” Rutledge said.
A junior at UTPB, Rutledge is studying education.
“I want to be an elementary school teacher; crossing my fingers for an ECISD position. I’ve always had a ton of school spirit, so I think this goes to show I’m just here to have a good time; have my school spirit with me,” she said.
Rutledge, who is from Odessa and attended OCTECHS for high school, said she had excellent teachers growing up.
“They were always so supportive. I see them out around town and they’re always asking how I am, what I’m doing in college. It’s nice to know that they actually care about you as a student; as a person. I knew that I wanted to do the same for others and I love children,” Rutledge said.
She has a total of six nieces and nephews.
“Just being around kids is … what I want to do,” Rutledge added.
Her said her mascot experience could help in teaching.
“Sometimes it’s kind of chaotic when we’re around a bunch of kids and you have to have that patience. And also, you can’t talk when you’re in the suit of course, and so being able to kind of control (over) what you say, what you don’t say, I think that will transition well,” Rutledge said.
