Aly Erario recently made an unexpected revelation to her friends: she’s been the university mascot at Montclair State University for over a year. This news came to light on her graduation day.
The 22-year-old had been portraying Rocky The Red Hawk, the school’s sports mascot. Interestingly, there’s a tradition where mascots are instructed to keep their identities under wraps until their fourth year, so Aly kept her secret for quite some time.
On graduation day, while dressed as Rocky, she decided it was finally time to unmask and show her friends who she truly was. This moment was both thrilling and nerve-wracking for her. “We’re excited to see where life takes you next,” said Aly, who now works as a Radio Office Manager in Newark, New Jersey.
Aly reflected on her experience: “I’ve watched the footage of that day multiple times; it makes me smile every time. I was so happy to share this secret with friends I care about.” She described her emotions on that day as a mix of adrenaline, nerves, and sheer excitement.
This moment had been a long time coming for Aly. At first, she joined the mascot team as a handler and even took on the role of Rocky’s sister, Roxy the Red Hawk, before stepping into the suit of Rocky herself.
Being part of “Team Rocky” pushed Aly to step out of her comfort zone. She actively participated in games and events, and in her final year, donning the Rocky costume became one of the highlights of her college journey.
Aly shared, “In terms of opportunities, two stand out as my favorites. This past year, we introduced a new design for Rocky and Roxy. I was thrilled to debut a fresh Roxy suit! Also, I got to travel to Daytona, Florida, which was an incredible experience.”
