Kevin Benson knows exactly what it's like to be a tiger.
Benson is Pouncer, The U of M Tiger mascot, who knows it takes more pounce to the ounce to entertain crowds at all U of M football and basketball games.
"I try to split up the arena into four sections and divide the game into fourths as well," Benson said after a recent Lady Tigers basketball game. "I try to spend one-fourth of the game in each particular section so I don't pay too much attention to just one group of people."
Benson performs solo at The U of M, which in mascot terminology means he does the whole show by himself. Benson, who can usually be found after Tiger games covered in sweat, carrying a heavy black bag on his shoulder, said the mascot costume can get pretty hot.
Large crowds pose no fear to Benson. He performed in front of 107,000 people in 1999 at a Memphis-Tennessee football game in Knoxville.
"It's just a matter of repetition," Benson said. "It doesn't matter if I'm performing in the (Elma Roane) Fieldhouse or in a full stadium. I don't get nervous."
You may have also seen Benson's work elsewhere.
Have you ever seen Rocky the Redbird at AutoZone Park? Or the Memphis RiverKings' Riverthing at local minor league hockey games?
Benson fills both of those mascot costumes, as well.
Students who perform as college mascots have rules they must follow to maintain the dignity of their character and to keep their human identity secret when playfully "fighting" with each other.
They usually meet before games to discuss weaknesses of the costumes and sight limitations.
"The most embarrassing thing that ever happened to me was on my first outing as Pouncer," Benson said. "I was 'fighting' with Colonel Reb of Ole Miss and he put me in a position that left me vulnerable and my (costume) head fell off and went rolling away from me."
Children sometimes follow mascots around and play just a little too rough, which could harm the costume or create other problems.
"I usually will turn to them and tell them 'no' with my hand in a nice way or get an usher to speak with the children when they cause the problems," Benson said.
After the spring semester, Benson plans to travel with a squad of mascots that will appear at Triple-A baseball games around the country.
Tryouts will be held to find Benson's replacement as Pouncer.
His successor will be sent to camps to learn in depth how to be an effective part of the game and entertainment.
Benson said an effective mascot must be able to entertain an audience without vulgarity, realize that he is not out to entertain his buddies but to entertain the children and fans and uniformly entertain the same way every game with a great attitude.
"We will be having tryouts for the new mascot sometime before April," he said.
