The man behind the mascot

Bryan+Clark%2C+a+senior+computer+engineering+major%2C+reveals+his+identity+as+Butch+during+a+men%E2%80%99s+basketball+game+against+UCLA+at+Beasley+Coliseum%2C+Saturday%2C+March+8.

Bryan Clark, a senior computer engineering major, reveals his identity as Butch during a men’s basketball game against UCLA at Beasley Coliseum, Saturday, March 8.

Washington State athletics have been unpredictable the past four years, in both on-court performances and spectator attendance. However, one thing is consistent at every WSU athletic event: the presence of Butch T. Cougar.

The identity of Butch T. Cougar is always a mystery to the student body. Rumors circulate and speculations run wild, but that ended Saturday when the question was finally answered.

During halftime of the men’s basketball game against UCLA, Bryan Clark stood at half court and revealed himself to the more than 3,000 fans in attendance.

“It was beyond intense, just sitting there and taking the head off and just hearing the screams of everybody,” Clark said. “It’s by far one of the most real experiences because people finally get to see who I am.”

That poses a question in itself. Who is Bryan Clark?

He has been the man behind the Butch mask for the past four years. Football, basketball, baseball, soccer games; if it’s a sport, he was there.

The senior computer engineering student first heard about the opportunity to become Butch T. Cougar through a friend on the cheer team.

“It just looked like a lot of fun so I figured, why not put in my application? And I was lucky enough to get it,” Clark said.

Butch has given the fans endless amounts of entertainment. Through laughter, chants, and dramatic game entrances, he has always been there.

Countless fans want their picture taken with him, high-five him, joke with him when he is around. At WSU, it’s safe to say he is an essential part of not just sporting events, but the community.

“He’s vital,” Clark said. “I’ve had this experience with him. It’s a person that you can just walk up to, and he’ll be excited beyond belief to see you. He’s a welcoming part and he’s the face of the university.”

Clark said he has met so many people as Butch and has built relationships with people he sees at events. They have certain gestures or creative ways to acknowledge each other, but they don’t know who’s under the suit.

“I have a rapport with them when I’m in suit to where they actually recognize that it’s the same person every time,” Clark said.

For those who’ve seen Butch in the stands or field of play, he has different tricks and acts up his sleeve. Clark tried to be as creative as possible when he was in suit. At an away game against the University of Oregon, Clark said he grabbed bread and started to throw it at the Ducks’ student fan base.

In his four years as WSU’s mascot, Clark has been part of multiple memorable events, but there is one that he said sticks out more than the rest.

“Apple Cup 2012, standing on top of the boxes right after (Andrew) Furney tied up the game and leading the ‘Go Cougs’ was one of the loudest and most awesome experiences,” Clark said.

Through all the experiences he gained from this role, Butch provided an opportunity for Clark to grow as a person.

“It’s definitely become a part of who I am,” Clark said. “I’m not afraid to make an idiot of myself at any time, and I’m more willing to just walk up and talk to people than I was before… I was little more anti-social before I was Butch”

Clark highly recommends people who are even slightly interested in becoming Butch to apply. He said the more applicants that try out, the better Butch T. Cougar will be for Washington State.

Although Clark’s reign of being Butch is over, it will always be an aspect of who he is.

“Every time I come back to games I’m going to be looking at Butch and being like, I wish I was out there right now,” Clark said.