This report has been contributed by Avery Braxton, a student from Mercer University’s Center for Collaborative Journalism.
Have you ever wondered who’s inside that big bear suit at Mercer University?
Well, we were “Just Curious” and unveiled the man behind the mask of Toby the Bear.
Elijah Hawkins, a Mercer University sophomore, is the university’s mascot. He rotates the responsibility with other students and acts as both Toby and Tot at Mercer University events.
Hawkins, or “Hawk” as he’s affectionately known, was searching for work when his former middle school gym teacher, Penny Pitts, asked him if he’d be willing to get in the suit.
“She grew to know me and she believed that I can boost the morale of the crowd,” Hawkins said.
“She just loves how I can entertain and work the crowd and she thought that I’d be a great addition to the spirit team here and be a great Toby the Bear.”
Hawkins is a Biology student at Mercer.
High-achieving, he owns a 3.4 GPA and has dreams of being an OBGYN after graduation. He says when he suits up, he becomes someone else entirely.
“I like to think of it like Bruce Wayne and Batman. When I put the suit on it’s like I’m a totally different person,” Hawkins said.
Few people on his campus know that Hawkins is the mascot and he says interactions with others in and out of the suit can be like night and day.
An integral part of every fans experience, Hawkins does his best to embrace his alter ego.
“When I get in the suit I do somewhat transform to be what the crowd wants me to be, to be who Toby the Bear is and that’s a great fun, energetic, goofy at times entertainer,” Hawkins said.
A beloved icon on Mercer’s campus, Hawkins said he feels like an integral part of Mercer’s community.
“I just really enjoy all the love that fans give Toby and how they really care for him to be at all these events, because he is such a great face of Mercer, he said.”
If you want to book Toby the Bear or his counterpart, Tot, for an event, you can contact Jordan Martin in Mercer University’s athletics department at 478-301-5217 or Martin_JP@Mercer.Edu.