St. Joe's Hawk rules the roost
The mascot was selected by NCAA.com as the best college basketball tradition in the country.
THE SAINT Joseph's Hawk got a feather in its cap yesterday when NCAA.com ranked the mascot as the best college basketball tradition in the nation.
Kansas' "Rock Chalk, Jayhawk" chant, finished second, followed by UCLA's "Frisbee Cheer," Duke's "Krzyzewskiville" and Wake Forest's "Rolling the Quad."
"It's a huge honor," said Ian Klinger, the current Hawk, who is the 34th person to don the costume since its inception in 1954.
Klinger, in his second year as the Hawk, said he had to undergo an arduous interview process, which culminated with a call from St. Joe's head coach Phil Martelli telling him he got the position and the full scholarship that goes with it.
When not flapping his wings - which he must do nonstop during home and away games - Klinger is the team manager.
And when he's not doing that, the 22-year-old from the Harrisburg area, works toward a degree in accounting and finance.
Overall, Klinger describes the experience in one word: "Exhilarating."