Mascot Performer - Hawkey (pronounced Hawk-ee)
Reports to: Manager of Game Presentation and Promotions / Events Coordinator
Pay: $100/game, $20/hr events (max 3 hrs)
Position Summary
The Mascot Performer is responsible for bringing Hawkey, the official mascot of the Trenton Ironhawks, to life at home games, community appearances, sponsor events, promotional activities, and other team functions. This part-time, seasonal role serves as a highly visible ambassador for the organization and creates energetic, memorable, and family-friendly interactions that build enthusiasm for the team and strengthen its connection with fans throughout the region.
The performer must maintain Hawkey's established personality through expressive movement, physical comedy, dancing, improvisation, and nonverbal communication while consistently protecting the character's identity and the Trenton Ironhawks brand. The role requires strong judgment, creativity, physical stamina, and the ability to engage comfortably with children, families, community partners, sponsors, and fans of all ages.
Essential Responsibilities
Character Performance & Fan Engagement
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Perform as Hawkey while maintaining a consistent, upbeat, playful, and family-friendly character at all times.
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Use exaggerated movement, gestures, dancing, physical comedy, and nonverbal communication to create engaging interactions without speaking while in character.
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Proactively interact with fans through high-fives, photo poses, celebrations, games, playful routines, and other appropriate spontaneous moments.
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Develop and consistently perform recognizable Hawkey gestures, entrances, celebrations, and signature routines that strengthen the character's identity.
Game-Day Entertainment
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Perform at all assigned Trenton Ironhawks home games and participate in pregame activities, player introductions, in-game promotions, intermission features, celebrations, and postgame interactions.
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Follow game scripts, timing cues, music cues, promotional instructions, and direction from the game presentation staff.
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Participate safely in mascot skits, contests, dance routines, promotional features, sponsor activations, and special presentations.
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Work closely with the mascot handler to manage movement, timing, visibility, guest interactions, and safe navigation throughout the venue.
Community & Promotional Appearances
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Represent the Trenton Ironhawks at schools, youth programs, festivals, charity events, sponsor locations, civic functions, media events, and other community appearances.
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Create excitement for the team by engaging attendees, posing for photographs, participating in planned activities, and encouraging game attendance and team spirit.
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Support youth-focused programs, reading initiatives, hockey clinics, charitable activities, and community outreach campaigns in a positive and inclusive manner.
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Arrive on time, prepared, and fully briefed for each appearance, including understanding the event schedule, audience, sponsor expectations, and planned activities.
Brand Representation & Sponsor Integration
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Serve as a positive ambassador for the Trenton Ironhawks and consistently reflect the organization's values, personality, and commitment to fan service.
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Execute sponsor-related appearances and activations in an enthusiastic, appropriate, and brand-aligned manner.
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Protect the confidentiality and integrity of the Hawkey character, including never appearing partially dressed in costume or revealing the performer's identity while on assignment.
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Avoid gestures, conduct, or interactions that could be interpreted as unsafe, offensive, political, confrontational, or inconsistent with a family-friendly professional sports environment.
Social Media & Content Support
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Participate in photo shoots, short-form videos, promotional campaigns, social media content, commercials, and other approved creative productions featuring Hawkey.
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Work with marketing and digital media staff to develop entertaining visual concepts, recurring bits, and community-focused content that extend Hawkey's personality beyond the arena.
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Remain in character during filming and follow all creative direction, safety requirements, sponsor guidelines, and brand standards.
Costume Care, Safety & Operations
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Inspect the mascot costume before and after each use and promptly report damage, missing pieces, visibility concerns, sanitation needs, or safety issues.
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Follow all procedures for costume storage, transportation, dressing, cleaning, hydration, cooling breaks, and emergency removal.
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Maintain awareness of limited visibility, heat, crowd movement, stairs, ice surfaces, equipment, and other environmental hazards while performing.
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Never perform without an assigned handler when one is required and immediately follow the handler's direction regarding safety, timing, and crowd management.
Teamwork & Event Support
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Collaborate professionally with game presentation, marketing, community relations, partnerships, ticketing, merchandise, arena operations, and event staff.
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Attend required rehearsals, training sessions, production meetings, promotional shoots, and mascot development sessions.
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Accept coaching and feedback regarding character consistency, performance quality, fan engagement, safety, and brand presentation.
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Perform additional event-day and promotional duties as assigned when not in costume.
Qualifications
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MUST BE ABLE TO ICE SKATE.
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Must be at least 18 years of age and possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
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Prior experience in mascot performance, dance, theater, cheer, athletics, live entertainment, or another physically expressive role is preferred but not required.
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Strong improvisational ability, creativity, comedic timing, and comfort performing in front of large and small audiences.
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Ability to communicate clearly with staff before and after performances and to follow detailed instructions while working independently.
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Professional, dependable, punctual, and enthusiastic approach, with the ability to maintain confidentiality regarding the mascot performer and internal team operations.
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Ability to pass any required background screening for appearances involving children or youth organizations.
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Ability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, home games, and community events on a flexible schedule.
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Ability to meet the physical and safety requirements necessary to wear and perform in the Hawkey costume.
Preferred Qualifications
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Experience performing as a mascot for a professional, collegiate, high school, entertainment, or community organization.
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Background in dance, theater, cheerleading, gymnastics, sports, physical comedy, or live event performance.
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Experience interacting with children, families, sponsors, and large crowds in professional sports, promotional, or community settings.
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Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for local appearances.
Work Environment
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This position operates in arenas, schools, outdoor festivals, sponsor locations, community venues, and other fast-paced public environments.
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The performer must be able to wear a full-body mascot costume with restricted vision, reduced hearing, limited ventilation, and elevated temperatures for designated performance periods.
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The role requires frequent standing, walking, dancing, bending, reaching, waving, and energetic movement, as well as safe navigation of stairs, ramps, concourses, crowds, backstage areas, and other event spaces with support from a mascot handler.
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Regular evening, weekend, holiday, game-day, and local travel availability is required. Reasonable accommodations will be considered in accordance with applicable law, provided the essential performance and safety requirements of the role can be met.
Core Competencies
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Character Performance
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Fan Engagement
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Physical Expression & Improvisation
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Creativity & Comedic Timing
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Brand Representation
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Professionalism & Reliability
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Safety Awareness
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Adaptability
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Teamwork & Collaboration
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Confidentiality & Good Judgment
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
