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It’s one hour before showtime at Alfond Arena, an unassuming young man bypasses the lengthy ticket line of people who are braving the sub-zero winter night for a chance to see what promises to be one of the most exciting University of Maine men’s ice hockey games of the season. Trying not to draw attention to himself or the massive, brightly-colored bag tucked under one arm, he flashes his athletic pass to the ticket-taker and makes his way to the changing room. He’s not a star hockey player, coach or pep band member – he’s Bananas the Bear, ready to take the ice.
“When I step out onto the ice, all my cares are behind me as I glide around the rink entertaining the crowd between periods,” said “Jeff,” who must keep his identity secret as one of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity members who “keep” Bananas.
For the past 35 years, the cherished UMaine mascot has been entertaining fans at athletic events, making guest appearances for charity and serving as a “silent” spokesbear for the university. He travels to some away games and is in high demand for appearances at local events.
APO, a service fraternity, has been the spirit behind Bananas since 1969, two years after courts made it illegal to have live animals as mascots. Jeff rotates with the other 20 APO members to bring Bananas to as many events as possible.
“I like different people being in the suit because each member brings his own personality and aspect to Bananas,” Jeff said.
Jeff has been bringing Bananas to life for two years. To make the transformation from a mild-mannered college student to the animated, beloved Black Bear, Jeff first dons silk gym shorts and a T-shirt. Then he puts on the “gut” of the suit, hands, feet, and clothing. Inside the dark suit, he becomes accustomed to the sour smell of dried sweat, and the fact that it’s 15 degrees warmer.
Once the head is attached, Jeff takes a backseat to his new personality.
“I don’t exist anymore when I put on the suit; I become Bananas,” Jeff said.
Normally an outgoing person, Jeff is a third-year music major who could very well sit next to you in one of your classes, or be the kid standing in front of you in the sandwich line at the union. He’s just like any other student at UMaine, he says. But he’s also a student with a secret, and that secret is well-contained in the bear suit.
APO performs as Bananas at all the sporting events, but Jeff prefers men’s hockey games.
“I was nervous when I first stepped onto the ice in front of thousands of people, but now it’s second nature to me,” said Jeff, who knew how to ice skate prior to his gig as Bananas. “If I do fall, it’s not like the crowd knows who I really am.”
When Jeff takes the ice as Bananas, he riles up the crowd with his popular skate-walk move and the “stripper” routine where Bananas rips off his snap-pants. But most of the night is not rehearsed; he mills around flirting with the crowd and participates in promotional events between periods.
Jeff’s most memorable moment as Bananas was not a sporting event, but a benefit walk, “Curious for a Care,” held in Old Town to raise money for children with cancer.
“When it comes down to it, it’s all about the kids and how their faces light up when Bananas comes up to them,” Jeff said. He said he is grateful for moments like this and considers being Bananas as an award to him, something special that not everyone gets to do.
Perhaps the biggest worry for Jeff and other members of APO is the “health” of Bananas. He’s begun to look a little worn around the edges. The money for suit repairs comes out of APO’s pocket. The suit is expensive and hard to maintain, and Bananas is requested at events more and more each year. APO is also looking into redesigning the suit; the current image of Bananas is 20 years old.
Nevertheless, Bananas doesn’t act his age. As the Black Bear crusader, Jeff always ends his athletic event appearances hot, tired and drenched with sweat. He works off an adrenaline rush the whole night, so when it’s over he needs to relax for an hour. He replays the night in his mind. He can’t see much of the audience’s reaction because of the costume, so he played most of the event by ear. He’s already thinking about his next performance as he hits the showers.
