Nov/Dec LJ
9/27/07
11:11 AM
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SPORTS
Passing by this masked crusader on campus, you’d never guess his alter ego is Sparky the Eagle, and that’s the way it has to stay. The secret of Sparky’s true identity is guarded under lock and key, only to be revealed to a select chosen few. Why all the mystery? “Sparky is becoming a celebrity around campus and Lynchburg. If we allowed his true identity to be known, I’m afraid he wouldn’t be able to have a normal life,” said LU’s Director of Athletics Jeff Barber. In Kentucky, where the current Sparky completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Kentucky, he got mascot fever when he donned the ‘Big L’ costume for minor league baseball team the Lexington Legends over the summer. During his senior year at UK, he tried out for the role of Wildcat, but did not get the position because the school was seeking someone for two years. He was offered the job later when he looked into graduate school at UK, but chose to attend LU instead. “I watched the guys who were the Wildcat. Now one is the Coyote for the San Antonio Spurs and one is with parky is a write-in the Washington candidate for the Wizards,” said Sparky. Capital One Bowl A one-time mascot mascot competition. Sparky for LU spread his wings is not one of the 12 main for another organization mascots running for the by going to work with championship, but after you the Atlanta Hawks. vote for the 12, there is a Although there was Sparky the Eagle greets Flames fans during a pre-game meet-and-greet state drop-down menu to no official tryout for the (above) and stirs up excitement during the Sept. 8 Flames vs. Shippensburg the left where Sparky has honor of becoming football game at Williams Stadium. been added alongside JMU Sparky, the current and U of Richmond masmascot said his vision for Sparky matched that of the LU athletic department. He cots. To vote for Sparky visit wants to be both a celebrity and a representation of the university. www.CapitalOneBowl.com. “I am going to be at the women’s and men’s basketball games and football games, You may vote once a day for but I want to attend other events too. I want people to come to the events and [I Sparky until December. want] to be the face of the events.” In 1980, the eagle was designated as the new Flames mascot. An eagle was selected because of the patriotic symbolism and connection with the school name. It was designed with the Flames’ nickname in mind. Sparky received a makeover two years ago from a serious warrior to a grinning, friendly bird. With that transition, Sparky aims to invent a whole new image; one complete with his own Facebook page. “I kind of don’t treat him as a bird; I treat him as a celebrity. I don’t flap my wings, because that’s not his personality. I’m going for college crowds, so they want dancing and throwing your hands up, playing around with other players. It’s extremely high energy.” Superman has Green Kryptonite, Batman has The Joker and Spider-Man has the Green Goblin. Sparky’s nemesis is hot weather. “It’s like wearing a winter coat in the 90-degree heat, and it’s something you have to get used to. I have to Febreze that thing like crazy every game,” Sparky said of his well-known apparel. Although a real eagle molts and gets new feathers with the changing seasons, Sparky only has one set of athletic clothes, which was replaced after nearly 30 years of use. Sparky’s one true love is seeing happy, smiling sports fans and that’s all he asks for in return for his steadfast dedication to Liberty University.
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