Every Winthrop student has had the experience of seeing Winthrop’s mascot, Big Stuff. It’s always fun to see him at athletic events or just walking around campus giving people high fives and waving to students. But have you ever wondered who is actually inside the Big Stuff costume?
There has always been an unspoken rule about not telling others if you are the mascot for your school. That secret can be difficult to keep, but since the current student in the Big Stuff costume is graduating this May, he no longer has to keep the secret.
Grant Nicholson, a senior environmental studies major, has been the mascot at Winthrop since the fall of his freshman year. In 2017, he was the backup mascot for the school, and he took over completely in the spring of 2018 and has been Big Stuff ever since.
“A lot of people I hang out with know that I’m Big Stuff but I still act like Big Stuff when I’m in costume because I have a job to do,” Nicholson said.
Nicholson was the mascot for his high school too, wearing the River Bluff Gator costume.
“It was a lot of fun. I went to camps and watched a lot of YouTube videos, and then I just created a character,” he said.
“My favorite part [about being Big Stuff] is seeing people’s smiles and reactions and making people happy. I really enjoy sharing God’s love with people, and it has allowed me to really break out of my shell and let go in life.”
There is more time that goes into being a school’s mascot than people may think. Big Stuff attends over 200 events in a typical year. Nicholson said he spent numerous hours planning skits and finding new ways to interact with Winthrop sports fans and students.
“Anybody can be funny in a costume, but the really good guys have a plan. Being a mascot is more than standing around and dancing. It’s really about trying to bring home a character and communicate what that character is.”
Apart from working all sporting events, planning and creating videos, planning performances, posting on social media and attending private parties separate from the school, Nicholson also attends meetings with others at Winthrop along with attending meetings with mascots from other schools. In these meetings with other mascots, they are able to feed off each other’s success and share ideas.
At the end of April, Nicholson will be traveling to Orlando, Florida to compete in the National Mascot Tournament.
“I’m ranked second in my division and I’m glad I got this opportunity,” he said.
After graduation, Nicholson wants to become a professional mascot, which he said involves a lot of coordinating people and events. By filling the role of Big Stuff, Nicholson has learned how to work with others while also planning events. At his church, he has organized a special needs prom called “Night to Shine.”
Nicholson also hopes to put to use the information he has learned while working toward his degree at Winthrop.
“I’d really like to teach people about environmental issues,” he said. “It really starts with getting into the elementary schools and teaching the younger generations.”
For the next Big Stuff and all those that will follow, Nicholson has some advice:
“Enjoy it because college goes by really quickly. It’s about trying to embody that character. I think of Big Stuff as one that isn’t afraid of anything and is a risk-taker, and he’s proud being the mascot for Winthrop.”
“It’s bittersweet to have to let Big Stuff go soon and it’s going to be sad to take off the costume for the last time,” said Nicholson. “Trying to go out on top is definitely a goal of mine.
“I hope I contributed to the program and I hope to continue to advance the program after I graduate. I’ve learned to take risks and to embrace the kid in me. You don’t always have to live up to everybody’s standards and sometimes it’s ok to just be you.”
Photo by Olivia Esselman
