Over the years, countless students have worn Rocky’s suit and have had to keep their identity a secret until they graduate.
Photo courtesy of Jo Ortuno
By Julia Ferrara
Rocky D. Bull got his start not in the physical form as we know him, but as a cartoon for University of South Florida Athletics to use in their newsletters.
It wasn’t until 2003 that the mascot was unveiled as the Rocky we see today.
The friendliness and fun personality that Rocky displays at events are extensions of the USF students under the mask.
Over the past two decades, many USF students have suited up and attended sporting and alumni events, dances and even graduation as Rocky.
Jo Ortuno, who graduated in 2025 and is now a graduate student studying counselor education, served as Rocky for the fall and spring semesters of their senior year, which they said was a great way to leave on a high note.
They shared that while their identity had to remain anonymous, several people knew it was them.
“Out of everyone I knew on campus, there were probably only about three other people that knew,” Ortuno told The Crow’s Nest. “For someone so chatty, I think I did a pretty good job at keeping it a secret.”
The job is not without its challenges, however.
Ortuno said that they usually don’t take bathroom breaks during events and the heat can make things more difficult.
“One of the hardest parts was not being able to wipe the sweat off my face in the summer,” Ortuno said.
Luckily, according to Ortuno, the suit doesn’t smell as bad as people think it does and it gets washed.
Being Rocky is a part-time job for students, with standard events running between 3 and 5 hours.
Ortuno didn’t work more than two events a week.
To prepare for the role of Rocky on the St. Petersburg campus, Ortuno said that there isn’t as much training a student has to do before suiting up.
“There is a general rehearsal and onboarding process in which you are taught how to put on the suit and practice emotes and interactions, but you mainly learn on the job,” Ortuno said.
The task of keeping their identity under wraps can be difficult for some, and Ortuno said there were times when they were almost exposed.
“I definitely could have been a bit sneakier when walking out of the SLE past the OMA covered in sweat, but I think this job made me a better liar,” Ortuno said.
Ortuno’s favorite memories of being Rocky were working the orientations and admitted students’ days, which gave them the chance to really interact with new students and get them excited about going to USF.
Kande DaCosta, who graduated in 2025, served as Rocky during the last semester of her senior year and shared that several of her friends, who had recently graduated, and her boss knew her identity.
DaCosta said that not being able to speak wasn’t the hardest part of the job.
“The moment the head went on, I knew to focus more on actions than words,” DaCosta said. “I definitely did have some moments where I had to whisper to Rocky’s handler because actions were not enough at the time.”
DaCosta noted the same sentiment about the smell of the suit, saying that it was basically odorless as it would get washed or disinfected after every wear.
Ortuno and DaCosta both shared that students are encouraged to use the bathroom before putting the suit on, but if they really need to go, it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to take it off and put it back on.
DaCosta also said that they worked about the same amount as Ortuno.
“The hours per week depended on the event requests that we had and who on the team volunteered to be Rocky first,” DaCosta said. “Personally, I maybe had to be Rocky at most twice a week since there were about 10 of us on the team when I was there.”
For training, DaCosta shared that they learned numerous things.
“For training we did a myriad of things. We learned all the signals to communicate with our handler, how we should act as a representative of the school (in and out of costume), how to pose for pictures, and how to handle children or anyone that has a fear of mascots.”
DaCosta also added that there was a bit of an onboarding process to becoming the mascot.
“Before you even sign the contract, you’re given an opportunity to try on the suit and see if you’re comfortable with it,” DaCosta said.
DaCosta’s favorite memory from being Rocky was the first event she worked, a campus carnival. She ended up riding the mechanical bull, which she did not plan to do, but it’s a memory she still cherishes.
DaCosta also treasures the time spent with Rocky’s staff and assistants.
“The moments with the team…are the ones I think about a lot more than anything else,” DaCosta said.
For students interested in being Rocky or becoming one of his assistants, email Abigail Bradley-Tyler at awbradley@usf.edu or fill out this form.
