Behind the mask
Three students volunteer their time as Rameses
By: Tiffany Devereux, Contributing Writer
Issue date: 2/19/07 Section: Features
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Correction: Who are the men behind Rameses?
During the 2006-07 sports season, three students share the job portraying UNC's mascot. While the three are former strangers, they each have similar views on what it's like to be the most visible character on campus.
"At basketball games, I'm big and bad. But around kids, I'm Barney. I have to frolic and be animated," said Tyler Treadaway, a sophomore history major from Mount Pleasant.
Brad Lockwood, a sophomore biology and French double major from Raleigh, said he's a completely different person in the suit.
"I just adopt a new persona," he said.
Jason Ray, a business major from Charlotte, is the third man behind the ram. Ray, a senior, has the most experience as Rameses. He has had the job for four years while Lockwood and Treadaway have each held the job one year.
"I decided I was going to make it worthwhile," Ray said about the Rameses job. "I just act like a big cartoon character."
The three students take turns in the suits and work University functions and charity events at no charge. But Rameses is also for hire.
Rameses attends birthday parties and grand openings and even has handed out holiday bonus checks with Santa Claus. The mascots get paid $100 per hour and have several private bookings per week - not including University-related functions.
"Rameses is the walking symbol of the University," Treadaway said. "He needs to be everywhere."
Despite a busy schedule, Treadaway said he plans to be Rameses for his remaining time at UNC. His job as Rameses sometimes takes precedent over other things in his life, but Treadaway said he sees himself as having a special role.
"I can't be Rameses forever," Treadaway said. "You've got to want to be Rameses. We don't just show up at a game - it takes a lot of sacrifice."
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