Students here know that being a Drexel Dragon is not easy; neither is being a literal dragon. Drexel University’s beloved mascot, Mario the Magnificent, stands as a symbol of the perseverance and willpower that Drexel’s community shares. He comes to life to cheer on the student body and welcome prospective students to the university and all that it has to offer.
However, like all school mascots, there is a mystery of what lies beneath the costume—who the people underneath the suit are, what a day of work looks like for them to keep the Drexel spirit alive and whether that heavy costume gets too hot. Two students who formerly donned the Mario costume—Josh Bobar, a dual major in electrical and computer engineering, and Kim Gui, a student of the class of 2025 pursuing a BS in research and experimental psychology—shared their experiences of being the embodiment of school spirit at Drexel and what it is like to be the Dragon.
A school as big as Drexel needs a mascot with an equally big personality. Student Ambassadors offer the task to volunteers who can imbue Mario with the confidence and enthusiasm to perform during both monumental game days for Drexel Athletics and the welcoming of prospective students in open houses and Admitted Student Days.
Bobar explains that “The mascot sets the mood for everyone, especially the students. Mario needs to be fearless, energetic, and most importantly, magnificent.”
Both he and Gui described the joy and chaos that comes from taking pictures with students and raising the morale of the DAC student section with cheers and dances. The constant activity, heat and heaviness that the costume bears make it imperative for the performers to eat and hydrate beforehand so that they can perform at their best all day.
Mario is not the only one making sure that everyone has a good memory of Drexel; students can also volunteer to be Mario’s handler. Mario’s handlers play a crucial role in his safety and performance. The costume, due to its size and build, does not provide an optimal view of one’s surroundings inside of it; therefore, handlers accompany Mario to various events to guide him along a proper route without accident, calm down crowds in case things get a little too rowdy and ensure the best experience for everyone looking to interact with him.
Mario is more than a person marching through the school in a costume; he is an experience that brings students closer to the school.
Gui reflects on her impact: “It makes me feel like I belong at Drexel. When I see the excitement in students who come across Mario, it makes me happy that I’ve potentially made someone’s day.”
The school spirit that he brings to every event is undoubtedly contagious, even to the point that Mario’s attendance is “regarded as an essential part of school spirit,” Gui adds.
Both interviewees feel that they have made an impact on the school through Mario, manifesting the characteristics that all Dragons share to unite the students as well as themselves to the spirit of Drexel.
Mario the Magnificent is not just a sketch of a dragon spotted throughout the school or an idle statue — he is the face of Drexel, projecting the same attributes of bravery and determination that its students possess. The students performing as Mario pour passion and dedication not only into their performances but into the university. Bobar and Gui’s experiences as Mario reveal what it truly means to be a Dragon.