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Mask-to-Mask A bowl of Lucky Charms gets Irish's Leprechaun going
In this space each week CNNSI.com will feature an exclusive one-on-one interview with some of college football's most famous mascots. Purdue Pete, the legendary mascot from Purdue University, recently chatted with the Notre Dame Leprechaun for this hard-hitting, mask-to-mask interview. Purdue Pete: Hello. Welcome to "Under the Mask" with Purdue Pete. Leprechaun: Thanks, Pete. It's good to be here. Purdue Pete: Maybe we need to change the title of this column. You don't wear a mask. Maybe this week we should rename this "Behind the Beard." That has to be tough living with your character 24 hours a day. Leprechaun: Every day is an experience. Everyone notices the beard and says, "Hey, you're The Leprechaun." It keeps me on my toes. If I feel down, it puts a smile on my face. Purdue Pete: Now you've only had the job for about a month. How has it been going so far? Leprechaun: I really enjoy it. I have had some problems. Purdue Pete: Like what? Leprechaun: At a pep rally, I started the wave by running in front of the crowd. I wasn't watching where I was going and I ran into a stack of megaphones, knocking them all over the floor as I fell on my backside. When I tried to get back up, I fell again. Some people thought it was all part of the act. Purdue Pete: Ah yes, megaphones can be a problem. Classic rookie mistake. Leprechaun: But I'm learning fast -- and having fun. Purdue Pete: So last week's game against Kansas was your first game. That must have been great. Tell me about it. Leprechaun: The game was at 2:30 p.m., but I started at 10:30 a.m.. Four pep rallies on different parts of campus. Then a parade to the stadium. Before the game even started, I must admit, I was a little winded. But when I ran out of the tunnel at the beginning of the game, the electricity of the crowd just gave me an instant recharge. Then after the game started, I just stepped back to look at the whole experience from the outside. I was just in awe. Purdue Pete: There is nothing like that first game. And you walked away with a win. You're batting a thousand. Leprechaun: We'll keep it going, I'm sure of it. Purdue Pete: As the first African-American leprechaun at Notre Dame, what kind of reactions have you had? Leprechaun: It has received a lot of attention. I have only received positive feedback. There have been a couple of calls of concern. But I would say about 98, 99 percent of our responses have been people congratulating me. I don't see it as breaking any barrier. I'm just doing something I want to do that just happens no other African-American has done in the past. There weren't any barriers up -- no one was stopping African-Americans from becoming The Leprechaun. It was just never an issue before. Purdue Pete: Any positive response stick in your mind?
Leprechaun: I got one from Lou Holtz congratulating me. Regis Philbin also sent me a nice note. He's a huge Notre Dame fan. Purdue Pete: Did he invite you to be on his show? Leprechaun: Unfortunately, no. Maybe later in the season. Purdue Pete: What do you do to get fired up for a game? Do you watch Rudy? Leprechaun: I'm naturally pumped. I did watch Rudy the Friday before the first pep rally. The part where he is trying out for the team really inspires me. Gosh, I must have watched Rudy a good 20 times this summer. I know that movie backwards and forwards. Purdue Pete: For game day, how do you start your day? Leprechaun: You're going to think I'm making this up, but my friends and I get together to eat Lucky Charms. It's the only cereal for The Leprechaun. Purdue Pete: Are you much of a fighter? To coincide with that Fighting Irish? Leprechaun: Actually, It looks like my first battle is going to be Purdue Pete, when we travel there next week. I don't believe Michigan has one. Last week against Kansas, I was getting ready to fight the Jayhawk -- but he left the game too early. Maybe he was hot or upset because they were losing. Purdue Pete: So Purdue Pete will be your first battle. Are you scared? Leprechaun: I can't wait -- I've been training. I'm going to use my quickness to my advantage to take care of Pete, then let all the fuel out of the train. Purdue Pete: Good luck. The Reamer Club has like 40 people guarding the train, Purdue's official mascot. Leprechaun: They'll never see me coming. I'm going to take it apart piece by piece. Purdue Pete: Well, again, all I can say is good luck -- and we'll see. Are you looking forward to going to "The Big House" at Michigan even though they don't have a mascot? Leprechaun: I'm a little disappointed I'll have nobody to fight. But their fans will make up for it. It should be a good trip. I'm looking forward to it. Purdue Pete: What about Arizona State? That should be interesting. The Fighting Irish against the Sun Devils. The country's most popular Catholic university against a school with the devil as its mascot? Leprechaun: All I'm saying is good always conquers evil. I'll take care of the devil. Good always conquers evil. Purdue Pete: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. Leprechaun: No problem. I'll see you in West Lafayette next week. Go Irish! |
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