As the fans root for the players and the cheerleaders rally up the crowd, there is another person on the sidelines making sure everyone gets pumped up during games. Even though Bucky, the WT buffalo mascot, may attend various football, volleyball and basketball games, the person inside the costume remains unknown to most students.

Danny Fuentes, in his disguise, has been a familiar face to many at WT sporting events. It was through his girlfriend, a WT cheerleader, that Fuentes met cheerleading coach Scott Taute and was offered the position as the school mascot. Fuentes decided it could be fun to try out.

“I’m like a fan in a suit,” Fuentes said. “Nobody can see me, but it’s really fun.”Though he cannot attend every single game, Fuentes adds extra energy by interacting with the crowd, players and cheerleaders.

“From what I’ve seen he gets everybody pumped up,” Briana Vongkhampra, a freshman Business Management major, said. “He’s really good at getting the crowed revved up and ready to go.”

Students seem to enjoy having Bucky to amp everyone up at the games. He helps boost excitement throughout the crowd and on the field.

“I saw him down on the field and he looked like he was having a lot of fun with the football players, and that’s always fun to watch,” Courtenay Nester, a WT student, said.

Even in the sweat inducing costume, Fuentes has really enjoyed the experiences and excitement that comes along with being the school mascot.

“It’s just fun making everybody laugh and getting everybody hyped up at all the games,” Fuentes said.

This will be his second and last year as Bucky. Fuentes is a junior double majoring in Athletic Training and Sports and Exercise Science. He will be giving up the mascot position in order to focus on his studies during his senior year.

Fuentes will soon pass along the Bucky costume to another willing student, but said he has enjoyed his time as the WT mascot.

“I hear from everybody that it’s really an honor to be the mascot for the university level,” Fuentes said.