Two recent CWRU grads reveal what it’s like to don the Spartie mascot suit
If you’ve ever posed for a photo with Spartie, you might have encountered a smiling Madison Martinez—you just wouldn’t have known. Even behind Spartie’s perma-smile, it’s hard to resist the natural instinct to grin for a picture. And there are a lot of pictures when you’re portraying a campus celebrity.
Martinez and Elena Cangahuala are two of the most recent alums to don the Spartie suit to bring joy and spirit to the Case Western Reserve University campus.
“One of the best parts was running into another fellow Spartie on campus and pretending like we weren't both secret campus celebrities,” said Cangahuala.
Martinez and Cangahuala, who both graduated from CWRU this spring, are part of a secret team of students portraying Spartie at events across campus. Not even their closest friends knew they were in the suit—at least not officially.
“My location may have also betrayed me a few times. Friends would notice that I appeared to be at an event, yet somehow wasn't actually there. When they finally learned I was Spartie, the reactions were priceless,” said Cangahuala, who served as Spartie during her undergraduate years and Master of Social Work program. “My reveal after undergrad surprised a lot of people, and it was equally entertaining watching my grad school friends discover that I had been living a double life as a campus celebrity.”
They often found themselves coming up with increasingly more unique explanations for why they were busy. Martinez offered the vague excuse that she had to go to her “spirit-related job” and made sure to take photos with Spartie outside of the suit to assuage any suspicions about her double life.
One of the biggest rules about stepping into the Spartie suit? You can’t talk. At all. While keeping quiet can be challenging—especially when encountering a nervous child—it’s also freeing.
“The anonymity that came along with being in the suit meant I could portray Spartie in an outgoing, playful, yet inspiring way,” said Martinez, who graduated with an undergraduate nursing degree. “I could run, skip, and jump around to hype up a crowd with no questions asked because that's just Spartie! Being in the suit meant I was free to portray Spartie in the best way possible while those around me stayed unaware as to who I truly was.”
In honor of National Mascot Day (June 17), we spoke with Martinez and Cangahuala to learn more about their experiences portraying the university’s beloved mascot.
Answers have been lightly edited for clarity and length.
Elena Cangahuala (CWR ’25; SAS ’26)
1. What were some of the most memorable moments or experiences you had while being Spartie?
Some of my favorite memories came from homecoming. Every year, someone had to cover the tailgate and someone had to help with halftime for homecoming court.
Another standout experience was Ohio Mascot Day at the Statehouse in Columbus in October 2025. I traveled there with Student Activities and Leadership staff, and it was essentially a room full of college mascots and dance teams from private institutions across Ohio. From an outside perspective, it was probably one of the funniest things: a room full of people who couldn't talk but somehow still managed to communicate. There was dancing, picture-taking and at one point a conga line. It was also fun getting to meet mascots from other schools, including Yeobie from Oberlin College and Klondike from Ohio Northern University. It's not every day you get to network as Spartie.
2. What advice would you give to future students who might be interested in becoming the university's mascot?
Don't let your height stop you from pursuing your dreams of being Spartie. Over the years, I've heard plenty of comments like "Spartie seems shorter than last time." Our handlers’ standard response was always: "What do you mean? Spartie is Spartie." The reality is that anyone can bring Spartie to life. No matter your age, gender, height or personality type. What matters most is your willingness to embrace the role. Even as someone who considers herself introverted, being Spartie became one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at CWRU.
3. How would you describe what it’s like to be Spartie?
Rewarding. Very hot, but rewarding. I think mascots are often underrated because they have a unique ability to bring people together. Whether I was walking across campus in the suit, standing beside Spartie as handler, or riding around in the golf cart, people would inevitably yell "Spartie!" or ask for a picture. There's something special about seeing students, faculty, staff, alumni and families all react with the same excitement. Knowing that a simple mascot can create those moments of connection is incredibly rewarding. It really did feel like being a secret celebrity.
4. How did being Spartie impact your overall college experience and your personal growth?
I'm naturally the type of person who stays quiet in new environments and likes to observe before jumping into conversations. Being Spartie gave me the opportunity to step out of that comfort zone. When I was in the suit, I wasn't Elena; I was Spartie. Somehow that made it easier to be outgoing, energetic and fearless. I would do things as Spartie that I never would have done on my own.
The transition from high school to college looks different for everyone, and for me it involved learning how to put myself out there. Becoming Spartie during my sophomore year of undergrad was definitely outside my comfort zone, but ended up being one of the most rewarding parts of my college experience. It helped bring me out of my shell and gave me confidence that carried into other areas of my life.
Watch Cangahuala's mascot reveal video on YouTube.
Madison Martinez (CWR ’26)
1. Can you describe a typical game day or event where you performed as Spartie?
Most Spartie shifts would start out at his home base, the Student Activities and Leadership office. We'd either get him packed up or we'd don the suit in the office. After ensuring we have the appropriate handlers and any necessary equipment, we would head to the location of the event. Whether we'd take Spartie’s ride, the golf cart, or be on foot, Spartie would wave to any Spartie fans on his way to our events! After arriving at games, Spartie has the unique opportunity to inspire Spartan spirit. Whether this be through posing for pictures, waving, dancing, or merely walking around Spartie brought a smile to many faces.
Fast forward to the end of Spartie events where we remove the Spartie suit. One of the final steps comes in removing the vest that houses the ice packs, which do their best to keep us cool while in the suit. After events the ice packs can even be completely melted—that's how you know it was time well spent being Spartie. Measuring my time as Spartie as the number of ice packs melted is how I should've kept track of my shifts.
2. What were some of the most memorable moments or experiences you had while being Spartie?
I always looked forward to attending the homecoming game as Spartie and taking photos with the court and royalty during halftime, which I did the past four years. Out of memories made, one experience sticks out. I vividly remember homecoming half time photoshoot with the court in 2023, my sophomore year. I was picked up by some of the members of the court and held horizontally while in the Spartie suit. That was a very fun group of students who made the best of the rain during the photos. Dare I say that was the most fun half time I had as Spartie.
3. What advice would you give to future students who might be interested in becoming the university's mascot?
I totally recommend anyone who is interested in possibly being Spartie to give it a try! There's no height, age, or gender requirements on participating. As long as you safely and comfortably don the costume with confidence you are likely eligible to be Spartie! For anyone who may be on the fence, give it a shot! It's very manageable with other obligations while additionally being fulfilling!
For anyone who may have concerns, I have answers to two frequently asked questions. First to answer questions related to it getting hot, yes it does but we have a fan in Spartie’s head as well as a vest with ice packs to ensure you are as comfortable as possible. There's also no required uniforms for under the suit so you can wear whatever is comfortable, within reason of course. Lastly, to answer any variation of “does the Spartie suit smell?” or "does it get cleaned?”: no and yes, respectively. We have a cleansing and deodorizing spray to ensure the cleanliness and freshness of Spartie’s suit.
4. How did being Spartie impact your overall college experience and your personal growth?
Being Spartie amplified my college experience. It allowed me to feel a deeper appreciation for Spartan pride as being Spartie felt like the most Spartan spirited thing to do. It was so much fun, I built connections, and it allowed me to be myself while simultaneously inspiring Spartan spirit within my peers and community.
In terms of personal growth, this experience increased my confidence and creativity while simultaneously instilling a sense of responsibility for school spirit while being Spartie. My confidence stemmed from performing in front of crowds. Even though I was in the Spartie suit, the confidence translated to how I carried myself outside of the suit. I was pushed to be more creative as I wasn't able to communicate verbally. I had to communicate through actions. I consistently pushed myself to come up with fun ways to interact with people and hype them up all while not speaking. Whether that was waving, raising up my hands to hype up a crowd, or posing for photos all of these actions translated meaning that wasn't said in words.
