Dash the black squirrel appeared for the first time two and a half years ago during Homecoming in 2022. By now, everyone on campus is familiar with the chipper, bright-eyed face of Goshen College’s resident mascot, Though, newer students may not know that Dash hasn’t always been revving up the crowd at sporting events. 

Chad Coleman, interim director of athletics and director of campus safety, and Erica Albertin, former director of athletics and current associate director for athletic health and wellness, were two of the minds behind the idea of introducing a mascot, though the details of the mascot’s look and name were finalized by a committee. 

Shea VanScoter, senior exercise science major, spoke about the initial process of applying to be Dash. In addition to trying on the costume and explaining why she would be a good mascot, another significant part of the audition was showing how she would do without speaking. “Then I had to act out my story without words,” she said. 

VanScoter was eventually chosen for the role and was scheduled to appear at the mascot’s unveiling ceremony during Homecoming convocation. “I was a little nervous being the first person, that I was going to go on the stage and be booed,” she said. VanScoter’s tenure as Dash was cut short due to a knee injury, the same day of the convocation. In the two years since, a variety of people have taken on the role, their identity always remaining anonymous. 

“The magic of it is, you know the secrecy of who Dash is,” Coleman said. 

Given the importance put on this principle, the name of one of the people who currently acts as Dash will not be shared. Instead, they will be referred to simply as “Dash.”

With the variety of students portraying Dash, Coleman said that there was often a lack of consistency in their appearances. 

“One of the complaints I heard a lot from people was there’s not enough Dash,” Coleman said. “So I’ve kind of made it a mission to boost Dash’s visibility at events.” 

In order to achieve this goal, Coleman found a few regulars to consistently play Dash, and set up an online form to manage and streamline appearance requests. “You can just go on there and book Dash, just like a birthday party,” Coleman said. 

Coleman also gave Brad Stoltzfus, head baseball coach, the role of Dash’s handler. In this role, Stoltzfus confirms appearances and manages Dash. 

“I talk with them before and see how much help they need throughout,” Stoltzfus said. “So, like, water, a fan, a towel, whatever the case may be.” Additionally, Stoltzfus helps Dash’s actors get in and out of the costume and ensures they get adequate breaks while in the costume. 

The squirrel costume itself presents a challenge to many of the actors enclosed, “15 minutes is the least amount of time it’s taken to get myself into the suit,” Dash said. “It’s like your own personal sauna.”

Once in the costume, there aren’t many rules for Dash other than staying silent and remaining anonymous. “It’s just, like, what’s appropriate and inappropriate for a public space?” Dash said. “And, you know, don’t do too many things that most people know you do.”

Regardless of the challenges that go into being a mascot, Dash stated that there are also aspects that make the work worthwhile, such as making connections with the fans and the crowd. 

“My favorite part about being Dash is the children that are brave enough to come up and interact with me because they’re so fun. They’re so cool,” Dash said. 

Coleman and Stoltzfus emphasized the importance of having a mascot. 

“It’s a part of the identity, the brand, Goshen College Athletics,” Coleman said. “To me, it elevates the legitimacy of your athletic program.”

“It’s all a part of the collective game day experience. Making it as great as we can make it,” Stoltzfus said. 

VanScoter echoed these sentiments in her reflection on the key to success as a mascot. “Dash has to be somebody who is intertwined into the fandom of GC Athletics,” she said. “When the crowd is rallying, you have to be rallying even harder.”