Elizabeth Pulanco/Winonan

Winona State University students, decked out in purple, black and white, cheered as Wazoo ran in front of the student section on Saturday, getting the crowd amped up for the homecoming football game. Everyone knows who Wazoo is, but no one knows the identity of the student inside the suit.

Wazoo can be seen leading the homecoming parade or taking pictures with fans at sporting events. Wazoo also has made appearances at the Minnesota State Fair and has followed the basketball teams to their three national championships.

Before the home football games and during the homecoming parade, Wazoo is carried by a chariot that is pulled by two student volunteers.

Winona State graduate Caitlin Bartels appreciates the role that Wazoo has in the Winona State community.

“He is a great supporter for everyone,” Bartels said.

Director of Undergraduate Admissions Carl Stange is in charge of choosing Wazoo and coordinating the mascot’s activities.

Stange’s involvement with Wazoo began 11 years ago.

“The Winona State University Foundation bought Wazoo in 2004 and they needed someone to manage the costume,” Stange said.

For Stange, Wazoo represents Winona State’s sportsmanship, community and positive image of what it means to be a Warrior. When choosing students to be Wazoo, Stange looks for people that are outgoing and not afraid to put themselves out there.

“You can’t be shy or afraid of mascots,” Stange said.

Many of the students that have been Wazoo were already in leadership positions at Winona State, or were actively involved with the school community. Stange has also chosen students from his orientation class to be Wazoo.

Wazoo is currently a volunteer position, so interested students have to contact Stange. The process for finding the mascot is secretive and once the mascot is chosen, he must remain anonymous.

“Wazoo is not allowed to take off the face mask in public,” Stange said.

Even though Wazoo is supposed to be anonymous, the mascot has been able to reveal their identity on special occasions.

“If a senior is wearing the costume, there is a beheading ceremony at the last home basketball game,” Stange said.

Along with finding students to become Wazoo, Stange is also in charge of costume cleaning and helping Wazoo get into the costume. When the students are too busy, Stange puts on the costume and becomes the mascot.

“Being in the costume is like being an extension of yourself,” Stange said. “You are still smiling and moving around and interacting with people while in the costume.”

The first time putting on the costume is a strange experience, according to the current Wazoo.

“I felt like everyone knew it was me, even though I had the costume on,” Wazoo said. “The more I wore the uniform, the more comfortable it became.”

One of the current Wazoo’s favorite things about being Winona State’s mascot is interacting with the fans and other students.

“I love seeing all the people I know, but they don’t know it is me,” Wazoo said. “It’s fun taking pictures with people and getting them engaged with the games.”

Although Stange does not interact with the fans as much as Wazoo does, he said he appreciates the relationship that fans have with Wazoo.

“I enjoy how much people love Wazoo,” Stange said. “Students and parents always come back to visit or take pictures with Wazoo.”

For the current Wazoo, becoming the school mascot was not something that he had pictured doing as a part of his college experience.

“I had no idea that I would want to do it,” Wazoo said. “But when Carl talked about becoming Wazoo during orientation class, I jumped at the opportunity.”

As Wazoo continues to be involved on campus and spend time with students, he has one message for the Winona State community.

“I want to see more people get engaged with games and cheering for the team,” Wazoo said. “We need to show some good sportsmanship and school spirit.”

When Wazoo interacts with the students and fans, the school spirit and creation of a strong community help achieve some of the goals mentioned in Wazoo’s message.

Even though Wazoo has been around for a short time, the mascot has made a strong impact on the Winona State community. If students are interested in becoming Wazoo, contact Stange in room 106 in Maxwell Hall.