[外電] Bug's life not always a buzz
Bug's life not always a buzz
By Andrew Gilman
The Oklahoman
This bug's life stings a bit.
It's hard being Hugo, and it hurts sometimes, too.
The Hornets mascot has had eight surgeries in 16 seasons. He's buzzed
everywhere from Charlotte to New Orleans and, this season, he landed in
Oklahoma City.
The only Hugo in team history won't reveal his real, non-insect name -- despite
constant, ahem, bugging about it -- but he did say that he's missed only three
games, despite neck surgery, a hernia operation, a torn Achilles and plenty of
wacky crashes disguised as stunts over the years.
"It's physically demanding," said Hugo, through his oversized Hornet head. "But
the NBA is the place to be. The mascot is such a big part of the game
presentation."
Hugo, or at least that's what we'll call him, spent 13 years as a gymnast
before putting on the costume. He went to Arizona State on a gymnastic
scholarship and was roommates in college with the man who is now the Phoenix
Suns' Gorilla.
Hugo won the mascot slam dunk contest three times, and even at 41 years old
says the best part of the job is getting away with being another person, er,
insect once he puts on the outfit.
"I hate coming out on the floor as myself," Hugo said. "It's so freeing to be
in that costume and that character."
And it is a character. Hugo dances like MC Hammer, fools around like a Harlem
Globetrotter and entertains like Madonna.
"He's really creative, and you can just tell he's a fan favorite," said Josh
Richardson, game presentation director for the Hornets. "We have meetings all
the time, going over skits and ideas and what he wants to do."
And what he does is different every game. New routines, new jokes -- and a new
life inside the skin of Hugo.
"It's different every day," he said. "It's an escape from reality."
Hugo has been to Australia and France, all over Europe and beyond, representing
the Hornets. He even shows up at other NBA arenas from time to time celebrating
with other mascots.
Hugo still lives in Charlotte with his two kids and his wife, buzzes in for
games, then heads back to North Carolina.
And, while it's early in the season, Hugo says he's healthy, for now. There are
a few bruises and bumps, but he's ready to go this season.
"It's great," he said. "I've gotten away without having a job for the past 16
years."
From：http://newsok.com/article/1682851/
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