Quote:I'd like to take this time to remind everyone that the best doggone mascot in all of professional sport is a Hokie.

 



 

He's certainly one of a kind.

 

http://www.vtmag.vt.edu/fall12/being-hokiebird.html

 

 

CURTIS DVORAK
<p style="font-size:12px;color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(249,249,249);">In what years did you play the HokieBird? 

1994-96

<p style="font-size:12px;color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(249,249,249);">It's awesome that you went "pro" as a mascot. How long have you been with the Jaguars? (Are you still with them?)

I started the mascot program with the Jaguars in 1996, after graduating, and am still running the program and performing as [Jaguars' mascot] Jaxson De Ville.

<p style="font-size:12px;color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(249,249,249);">Do you have a day job, or is being a mascot a full-time job? 

It is a full-time job, but I hope to be a productive citizen when I grow up.

<p style="font-size:12px;color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(249,249,249);">What was your most memorable experience as the HokieBird?

[There are] too many to choose from. The entire experience of being the HokieBird is something I will never forget. The trips to bowl games, basketball tournaments, and nationals. I was also fortunate enough to be the first HokieBird to win the NCA Mascot Title. My last football game as the bird was the Sugar Bowl, and my last basketball games were the NCAA Tournament in 1996 in Dallas.

<p style="font-size:12px;color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(249,249,249);">Tell us about your favorite reaction to the HokieBird. 

I enjoyed the reaction of the opposing teams' student section on the road.

<p style="font-size:12px;color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(249,249,249);">What sort of training did you have to do? 

I got sent to the principal's office a lot in my early school days, and I spent quite some time in [Former Tech Athletic Director] Dave Braine's office while at Tech.

<p style="font-size:12px;color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(249,249,249);">What are the basic rules of being the HokieBird? (Such as no speaking or removing the head) 

You've gotta be able to do "the walk"—the HokieBird has a very specific style to his walk. No talking in costume, do not allow anyone to see you without the head on, and remember what and who you represent and always respect that tradition.

<p style="font-size:12px;color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(249,249,249);">Body language must've been critical. What was your signature move? 

I created the "Scream Machine," which I think is still used.

<p style="font-size:12px;color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(249,249,249);">Did you get into any fisticuffs with other ACC mascots on a football field? 

We were in the Atlantic Ten Conference when I was there, and I did get into a bit of an incident with the St. Joseph's Hawk.

<p style="font-size:12px;color:rgb(17,17,17);font-family:Helvetica, sans-serif;background-color:rgb(249,249,249);">What's the worst part about being the HokieBird? 

Occasionally having to disappoint people when you can't stick around at an appearance to see everyone or when all the cheerleaders are fighting over you.