Who is Chompers?

Photo from University of Maine at Farmington’s official website.

September 25, 2023

Caleb Smith, Contributing Writer

Whoever is chosen to wear the school's mascot Chompers outfit to the average student may seem illusory, but it’s actually quite simple. Chompers is overseen by admissions and marketing, and is chosen from the selection of students emailing volunteering for the role. Something about the mask is alluring to prospective students, Chompers is constantly rotating people in and out of the suit, but in an interview with a previous Chompers, the intentions behind the mask becomes clearer. 

“[Reality] doesn’t really change,” Sophomore Aidan Currie said.

Currie, one of the many people chosen to be Chompers throughout UMF’s history. The type of person that assumes the Chompers suit is someone who “just wants to make people smile.”

 Things seem open and shut, then. The suit really doesn’t change the person... Unless it does. Pressed for more information Currie continued. 

“It’s the same as outside the suit, people just don’t usually come up and ask me for pictures. Being faceless is nice too.” Lacking a face, the Chompers outfit is an efficient way to spread positivity.

Faceless is a telling word, and one can't help but think of the same mindset one has of a Halloween costume. Inside the mask could be anyone. Anonymous yet loved by all, evidenced by people being motivated to take photos with him. How would you like that? Nobody knowing who you are, yet you are liked by everyone. That has to change the way the beaver views the world.

Chompers isn’t going to change the world, but he impacts the people that need it most. Just remember that the wearer is there to make you smile.