The University’s favorite birds and seniors in the coverall–wearing spirit crew have attended more meetings, done more studying and spent more time working out than the average student. Well … not really.
For the two seniors in SICSIC and the four students portraying Freddie and Frieda Falcon this year, lying to protect the tradition of secrecy is all part of the job. The students’ identities were revealed this weekend during the men’s basketball and hockey games.
Seniors Dan Stanowick and Hakim Oliver have been parading around as Freddie, while Melissa Rossin and Rachel Ott, also seniors, have been portraying Frieda. Josh Schneider and Jen Berecek are the two seniors in SICSIC.
“I’ve built up a repertoire of lies over the past three years,” said Berecek, known as Big Bad Wolf in SICSIC. “If I was actually in the library studying as often as I said I was, I’d probably be on the Dean’s List every semester.”
But according to Berecek, secrecy does have its benefits.
“Messing with people you know is definitely the best,” she said.
But all those wearing the masks agree, the job has its tough moments. For Schneider, known as Dr. Evil in SICSIC, out of costume it has been difficult to stay quiet around his closest Falcon fans.
“The hardest part is not to acknowledge people you met while you were wearing the mask,” he said. “It’s hard to walk right by students you recognize [from an event].”
According to Oliver, once the costume comes off, he becomes an unknown.
“When you’re Freddie, you’re famous,” he said. “It’s like being Denzel Washington and when I take my head off, no one knows who I am.”
But with the heavy costumes, rubber masks and high-energy school spirit, comes sweat–and lots of it.
“I’ve never sweated so much in my entire life,” Rossin said. “I sweated in places I didn’t think I could sweat.”
And for Stanowick, when it’s his turn to dive into the feathers after one of the other Falcons has just worn it, there’s always a little hesitation.
“The part I struggled with is putting on a sweaty suit,” he said. “It’s a lot like ‘Fear Factor.'”
But through any type of weather conditions, when there are kids around is when the whole spirit crew gets to shine.
“There are some adorable kids out there,” Stanowick said. “Some of them are scared to death of you and others will just not leave you alone. We’re in this for the University, but it’s the kids that are the essence of Freddie and Frieda.”
But maybe the best part about being a Falcon or SICSIC member is the opportunity to brighten someone’s day while supporting the University, Ott said.
“It’s nice to know that if you go up to someone and poke them … or slap their hand, it meant something special to them,” she said. “You know you’re just a person, but to them it’s something special.”
Editor’s Note: Applications to become a SICSIC member or Freddie/ Frieda Falcon are available now. Contact the Office of Student Life at: 372-2843 for an application or more information.
