The Purdue Alumnus followed six Purdue Petes to mascot camp this fall, including two who are students in the Purdue Polytechnic Institute.
The Alumnus reports, “The mascots are a rowdy bunch. Outgoing, goofy pranksters, they are constantly laughing and joking with one another. They act pretty much exactly how you’d expect a mascot to act.”
Personality is a big part of playing Pete, but it takes more than slapping on a costume and acting silly.
“When Pete acts really happy, or really disappointed, that is genuine emotion that comes from me,” says Kevin Wissler, a building construction management major. “The guy on the inside, behind the mask, is so passionate about Purdue sports and the school itself.”
Grant Hubbard, a mechanical engineering technology major, also is one of the Purdue Petes.
Read more about their training in the Purdue Alumnus.