University of Massachusets Athletics
Sam The Minuteman Tells All
May 12, 2006 | General
May 12, 2006
With all the television commercials and publicity this year, 2005-06 had to be one of the most successful years for Sam the Minuteman in terms of exposure. I had a chance to sit down with Sam, speaking through an interpreter, for a few minutes at an undisclosed location to get some final words from the grinning soldier himself before he took off for the summer.
Brendan Hall (BH): What was your favorite moment of this year?
Sam the Minuteman (Sam): September 1st, 9 a.m. That's when the website for the Capital One Mascot Challenge officially went up for the first time. I was at the University of Richmond the first time I voted, when we beat up on the Spiders for a good win. I'm the only one who at the time had any concept that this would blow out of proportion to what it ended up being this year.
BH: Students, for the most part, showed you a lot of love on the website. So much love that you made it all the way to the final round, where you lost to Herbie Husker. What do you have to say of all the praise you got from the student body?
Sam: What's not to love? Totally awesome. Total gratitude. I cheer on all teams all the time, and the whole campus in general.
BH: Arguably one of your most entertaining moments of the year had to be the Michael Jackson "Thriller" dance during a timeout in the second half of the Minutemen's home finale against Xavier. Anything you've got in store for next year?
Sam: I've got a few tricks up my sleeve, but as far as another dance at half-court? Probably not. I'm going to bust out a few moves you haven't seen yet, and you're going to enjoy them. Not dropping any hints, though -you'll have to wait and see.
BH: There were so many Cinderella's in this year's NCAA basketball Tournament. With UMass out, who did you pull for?
Sam: That's easy - George Mason. He's a good pal of mine. I wasn't able to talk to him after that UConn upset, because I was at a Celtics game for Mascot Day. They were announcing the score of that game over the public address as I was coming onto the court, and as soon as the final score was official I began pumping my fist in the air. The whole place exploded.
BH: Did you and George fight any famous battles together?
Sam: Ah, that was such a long time ago, it's hard to remember. I think he came a little bit after me.
BH: One of Travis Ford's mentors, Billy Donovan, took Florida to its first national title in hoops this year. Did you send any words the way of the Gators?
Sam: I actually recently talked to Albert the Alligator and congratulated him on the title, as well as the new ESPN commercial he's featured in.
BH: Which reminds me, what would you do if Steve Irwin tried to come after you?
Sam: I've got a bit of height on him, so I would just place my hand on his head while he tried to swing his arms at me. You know, like he was a little kid or something.
BH: Better ESPN commercial . . . Albert and the Crocodile Hunter, or you and Andy Roddick?
Sam: Well, it's been 20 months since that commercial first aired, and I still get questions about it. That should say something. In fact, I'm confident mine is better.
BH: The hockey team came on late, stealing a few victories late in the season - BC and Vermont come to mind. Is that a sign of good things to come, in your opinion?
Sam: Absolutely. [The upsets of] BC, Vermont, and Colorado College were all great games. Jon Quick? He's the man.
BH: Any mascots you still hold a grudge with as the year concludes?
Sam: Well, there's obviously Herbie. I hope to see him at some point in a dark alley. I never wish for any college team to do badly, but with all the hype this year at Nebraska I wouldn't be upset if the Huskers didn't make a bowl game. As for that St. Joe's Hawk, I get to go to St. Joe's next year -let's see how he likes a taste of his own medicine.
BH: Are we talking another "Thriller"?
Sam: Don't push your luck.
BH: Fair enough. Any final predictions for next year?
Sam: It's going to be a great year to be a Minuteman.
