University mascot Colonel Tillou brings high spirits and a touch of history to the games, but what does it take for him to actually prepare himself for the part? The Nicholls Worth sat down with the mascot to find out what it takes to play the part.
Q: How do you get ready to play the part of Tillou?
A: I must channel my inner Tillou. Sometimes it is easy to forget that I am under a costume and have to be the character. The littlest things, like having to change the way I walk to fit the part, is necessary. I definitely cannot go into an event thinking, “I am tired.” I have to have the most energy possible because everything I do in the suit requires four times the exertion, like holding my head straight and turning it with all the extra weight and minimal vision.
Q: What is the craziest thing you’ve had to do while playing the part of Tillou?
A: There has not been anything I would deem as “crazy” yet. But I can say my first time I ever put on the entire suit, it was probably in the upper 90s at 11 a.m. You can imagine how hot that had to be. Nicholls was shooting a video and I needed to go in the middle of the stadium field and run up to the camera and do different things. Running in shoes twice the size of your foot and not knowing how to handle your body mechanics smoothly under it all lead to some pretty funny bloopers. Many times I tried to pull out my sword and it went flying out my hands. I could tell I was so awkward that I just laughed inside the whole time.
Q: Do you receive any special treats for being Tillou?
A: I get unlimited chauffeured golf cart rides and first priority for air conditioning, both of which have never been so valuable as they are now to me.
Q: Do you attend away games? If so, how do you get dressed?
A: I haven’t attended an away game yet, but I am looking forward to it. I’m unsure of how I will get dressed because it takes a great amount of room, but I am sure it will work out.
Q: How does it feel to be Tillou?
A: I am very proud to represent Nicholls State University as Colonel Tillou, because the mascot embodies so much more than what meets the eye. Being the mascot allows me to make a crowd of people smile without saying a word and to unify the school in spirit. It gives me this insurmountable amount of energy that makes me forget how hot it is to be under all the layers of costume. Most of all, it is what makes the Nicholls State mascot unique. Being Colonel Tillou allows me to represent a piece of Southern Louisiana history and honor the founding of our university.
Q: What is your favorite part about being Tillou?
A: My favorite part is talking to people I have never seen before and just going sit myself down with them to watch a play of the game. As weird as it may be, I can say I have even made friends while in the suit. People come up to me each time and ask if I remember them and take the same pictures, or make inside jokes and gestures with me. All of which are obviously more difficult being that I am not allowed to speak.
Q: Is playing the part of Tillou a big secret?
A: Yes, some of my best friends do not even know, which makes it even more fun. I cannot begin to count the amount of times people in the stands beg me to reveal my identity or try to guess who I am. The guesses they come up with are always entertaining. If you know who the mascot is, it loses its sense of mystery.
Q: Do you receive payment for playing the part of Tillou?
A: I think there is some sort of scholarship involved at the end of the semester, but I am not sure. It is kind of like the cheerleaders. I would do it for free though. It always was a dream of mine ever since high school. It is one of those “bucket list” things I am going to look back when I am old and laugh about.
