 "Photo: Michael Phillis/Collegian")
University of Massachusetts senior Josh DuBoff participated in his final basketball game at the Mullins Center last night. Until the four-minute timeout of the game's second half, most people in attendance knew him by a different name - Sam the Minuteman.
Those in attendance honored DuBoff with a standing ovation during the four-minute timeout of the game's second half.
DuBoff began his time in the suit as a freshman in the fall of 2003. Looking for something unusual to enhance his college experience, DuBoff contacted the necessary people to make his hope of playing Sam the Minuteman a reality.
"I contacted [then]-cheerleading coach Kelly Proctor about the job," DuBoff said. "I showed her some pictures and the next thing I knew I was wearing the suit during the second half of all the football games."
As a freshman, DuBoff rotated with another student as Sam the Minuteman. The two would switch off halves of football games and every other game during basketball season. Since then, however, he donned the Minuteman costume for every UMass football game and all men's and women's basketball games. The only sport DuBoff doesn't work as Sam is hockey. Being able to confidently skate while wearing a foam head is something he just hasn't been able to master.
"Since my freshman year, I've been the primary mascot," DuBoff said. "We've had a few other kids come into the suit but I've basically been the only one."
DuBoff directs his attention to all UMass sports, not just the high profile ones. Earlier this season, he purchased a large pair of swim trunks and wore them at a swim meet between UMass and Army.
"I try to make it to every sporting event that happens on campus," DuBoff said. "I do everything, except hockey."
He took the position to make his time at UMass more memorable and to be a part of UMass Athletics in a tangible manner.
"Mascotting is my experience at UMass," DuBoff said. "My whole college experience is different. Whether it's going to games or traveling, I love traveling. But traveling as Sam, whether it's just up to New Hampshire or to Boston or something, it provides a change from Amherst. I've been to Vancouver and Los Angeles and going to Montana and Chattanooga with the football team was amazing. Also, when UMass wins, I get to go on the court or the field to celebrate which is something I wouldn't be able to do if I were just another student."
The most memorable experience for the Emerson, N.J., native was the chance he got to work with tennis star Andy Roddick on an ESPN commercial. DuBoff, or Sam the Minuteman, appeared knocking a racket and ball out of Roddick's hand. He also was part of the 2005 Capital One Mascot Challenge where he finished second to the University of Nebraska's Herbie Husker as the nation's top mascot.
"Everything I've been able to do outside of UMass like the ESPN commercial with Andy Roddick and all the stuff with Capital One, that whole thing was just a timeline of events that happened one right after the other," DuBoff said. "That time was just crazy."
But one time stands out most to DuBoff as the most memorable of all he's experienced in the suit.
"If I had to pick one, the most memorable thing was this past December," DuBoff said. "The football playoffs were amazing. When [the UMass football team] beat UNH here and then [UMass] played Boston College later that day, I was in the suit for 11 straight hours because the women's basketball team had a game at noon."
Working with tennis superstars and traveling around the country are one thing, but DuBoff's favorite moments took place at home in Amherst.
"Fan interaction is what it's all about," said DuBoff. "Being to make someone smile or laugh when they're having a bad day is great. And I love pumping up the crowd during games."
DuBoff will leave UMass in May with his dual-degree in Sport Management and Political Science. Although his education is the most important thing gained while at UMass, the memories from his time as Sam the Minuteman are what he cherishes most.
Joe Meloni can be reached at jmeloni@student.umass.edu.
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