Benny the Bengal to Compete at Nationals
After attending a mascot training and competing with Idaho State University’s dance and cheer squads at regional camp this summer, Benny the Bengal earned himself first place and a bid to the United Spirit Association’s 2013 Collegiate Championships, a national competition, to be held in Anaheim, Calif. March 17 and 18.
This will be Benny’s first national competition and he said he couldn’t be more excited.
“I just love California,” said Benny. “I love the glimmer of the sun when it hits my fur.”
Benny also mentioned that he recently returned from the salon where he got his fur fluffed and he’s ready to show it off.
ISU athletic department director of marketing and promotions Kaylee Kopp, along with Kopp’s intern staff, and Benny Bengal himself are hard at work building Benny’s Nationals routine.
At Nationals, Benny will have one minute to set up, two minutes to perform and one minute to tear down and clear the floor. In addition, no words are allowed, no one can help you, and no tumbling or stunting is allowed for mascots at Nationals.
“It’s hard because you have to have props you can fit on the plane, props you can set up in a minute and you can’t make a mess,” explained Kopp.
Kopp said that because of the regulations, the routine will be a bit different from what Benny fans are used to seeing during games and university events but “there are some things that will always be true of Benny.
“For example, he always wears clothes, unless he’s doing something in his underwear or Speedo,” Kopp explained.
Kopp said Benny loves costumes and his routine will likely include a few costume changes along with signs.
Kopp is hoping to have Benny’s routine completed before one of the last home basketball games so he can perform it at a game for the home crowd before he heads to California to compete at Nationals.
“Benny does a lot for the university,” said Kopp. “Having him go to Nationals is going to bring [ISU] national attention, so for those who don’t know where Idaho State is or who Idaho State’s mascot is, it could bring us some national recognition.”
When asked about the prizes involved if Benny wins Nationals, Kopp replied, “He just gets a trophy.”
She added, “But trust me, if we know anything about Benny the Bengal, he’s going to make a big deal out of that trophy if he wins.”
The ISU Bengal Dancers and Bengal Cheerleaders will also be competing at Nationals.
Benny attends and entertains the crowd at all home volleyball games, football games and basketball games in addition to community events.
“[Benny] is a tremendous asset to the athletic department,” said Kopp.
“He’s able to take a promotion and take it to a different level,” she continued. “Having the ponies out on the court, they’re funny, like having people bounce around on ponies, but having Benny knock over someone on a pony is twice as funny. The ISU Credit Union hamster balls, they’re funny. Having [Benny] get run over by the hamster ball is hilarious.”
You can keep up with Benny’s antics as well as his road to Nationals by ‘friending’ him on Facebook at facebook.com/Benny.Bengal.9.
