AP Wire | 12/02/2006 | Being mascot for professional sports team isn't all fun and games

You know, I think this would be the perfect job for me. If I were only younger. And stronger. And more athletic. And more creative. Oh well. Teaching isn't that bad.

Check out what it means to be a real mascot . .. maybe more than you expected.

AP Wire 12/02/2006 Being mascot for professional sports team isn't all fun and games:

"At 27, he's the Tampa Bay Lightning's newest rookie. To prepare himself for his debut this National Hockey League season, Matt Hitchcock honed his craft at two colleges in Florida and even paid his dues in the minor leagues.

So every time Hitchcock dons the Lightning's ThunderBug mascot costume, the University of South Florida senior is thankful he has a new full-time gig with a major league sports team.

Here's why: The competition to become a full-time professional sports mascot is as intense as ever, as these 'performers,' as they prefer to be called, boast resumes showcasing communications, marketing, sales, promotions and even gymnastics and theater skills. Gone are the days when a pro team would enlist the office clown as its mascot."