Xavier University Athletics
Xavier Mascots
Mascot Appearances
Xavier University is happy to help your organization or corporate event with a mascot appearance. The following are the guidelines with an appearance request. We cannot guarantee that your request will be filled.
Please check your spam or junk email if you are waiting for a response from mascots@xavier.edu.
Requester Requirements:
- Appearances are to be requested and the online form must be submitted a minimum of two (2) weeks in advance of the actual appearance/event date event to be considered --- longer if possible (please no phone calls).
- If requesting a mascot appearance the Requester must provide a private location for mascots to change and provide a secure, safe place to store any personal belonging and mascot storage bags.
- Requester must provide drinking water for the mascot during appearances.
- Requester must provide a parking spot for the mascot(s) that would be located close to the event site or provide a ride if they are required to park further away from the event site. If there is a charge for any parking (meter or parking garage etc.), the Requester is to pay for this in advance and/or provide a parking permit (if applicable).
Confirmation:
- If the mascot(s) are able to be at your event you will receive an email confirmation from the Mascot Coordinator within one (1) weeks of the event date (earlier if at all possible). At that time, we will confirm the date/time/location of your event and also give you the name and contact information for the student who will be the mascot at your event.
- Due to scheduling and availability, if the mascot(s) would not be able to make an appearance at your event, you will be notified via email within two (2) weeks prior to the event date (earlier if at all possible).
Additional Notes:
- Campus events will be paid through an interdepartmental transfer form. This will get initiated after the appearance request is submitted and the event is filled.
- Requesters for weddings, public events and 501(c) events will be able to pay by check or by credit card. Pricing will be determined after all of the details are confirmed and the event is filled.
- Xavier University reserves the right to refuse any appearance.
- Because of time demands on our students and their availability, Xavier University Athletics cannot guarantee that each requested appearance will be filled. Priority is given to mandatory Athletic-related responsibilities.
- Due to academic and time restrictions, appearance requests that fall during the scheduled academic calendar year (and during holiday or summer breaks) will be made on a limited basis.
- Xavier mascots will not make appearances in bars.
- The mascot suits (costumes) are the property of Xavier University Athletics and are neither rented to the general public under any circumstances nor worn by anybody other than the students who are on the current mascot team. The mascot team consists of students who attended the official annual tryout, been accepted onto the team, and have had their yearly physical.
Payment:
- Campus events will be paid through an interdepartmental transfer form. This will get initiated after the appearance request is submitted and the event is filled.
- Requesters for weddings, public events and 501(c) events will be able to pay by check or by credit card. Pricing will be determined after all of the details are confirmed and the event is filled.
- Checks can be made payable to: Xavier University. If there is space, please add attn: Xavier Cheer
Pricing Includes:
Campus Event
- Event fee
Tier 1 – Cincinnati Area (up to 25 miles from Xavier)
- Event fee
- Mileage fee
- Within 10 miles of Xavier - $0
- 10-25 miles from Xavier - $0.70/mile
Tier 2 – Surrounding Areas (25-115 miles from Xavier)
- Event fee
- Mileage fee - $0.70/mile
- Mascot Hourly Rate - $15/hour per mascot & handler
- Meals - $15/meal per mascot & handler
Tier 3 - Flight Required
- Event fee
- Mascot Hourly Rate - $15/hour per mascot & handler
- Meals - $15/meal per mascot & handler
- All travel must be covered - flights, transportation, lodging
Event Fees:
*Max of two (2) hours for all events.
- Campus Event - $15/hour per mascot
- Weddings - $350/hour for one mascot, $450/hour for both
- Public Events - $200/hour for one mascot, $300/hour for both
- 501(c) Non-Profits - $100/hour for one mascot, $150/hour for both
Cancellation Policy: We reserve the right to cancel an appearance due to illness, personal emergency, class issues, etc.
Please fill out the request form and someone will reach out regarding your request.
Please check your spam or junk email if you are waiting for a response from mascots@xavier.edu.
2025-26 SEASON TRYOUTS
Mascots
Open Gym Date: August 20
Time: 7-9PM
Tryout Date: August 27
Time: 7-9PM
Where: Cintas Center Auxiliary Gym
Mascot Tryout Protocols: 2025-26
New Candidates: those who were not a mascot during 2024-2025: Secure a physical from their physician who is asserting that there is nothing that would prohibit that student from participating. Be prepared to give veral confirmation of a physical within the last 12 months as well as having a copy of your insurance card.
Mascot Requirements
D'Artagnan
- 30 seconds of dancing to music
- 5' 7" or taller
- Flag running/waving
Blue Blob
- 30 seconds of dancing to music
- 5' 6" or shorter
- 3 full rolls
Mascot History
D'Artagnan
D'Artagnan serves as the official mascot of the Xavier University athletic teams. The legendary mascot has gone through many changes over the years, but his powerful presence remained when the most recent version of the Musketeer was unveiled at the start of the 2004-05 basketball season.
The Musketeer concept was based on the suggestion of the late Reverend Francis J. Finn, S.J., a member of the Xavier University Board of Trustees for many years until his death in 1928. In response to a directive from the Trustees, Father Finn proposed the name Musketeers in 1925. It was adopted and has been a Xavier designation ever since.
In naming the Musketeers, Father Finn was not only giving rebirth to a concept of chivalry that is among France's most treasured traditions, but he was also providing permanent recognition to Xavier's strong ties with French origins and culture.
The first priest, and one of the first Europeans to navigate the Ohio River past the site that was to become Cincinnati, was a Jesuit from French Canada named the Rev. Joseph Pierre de Bonnecamps. He was a scientist and mathematician from the College of Quebec, who made the trip in 1749. It is said that to him Ohio owes the first map of her boundaries.
Among the first students at Xavier in the decade of the 1830's were French-speaking young men from Louisiana who were forbidden by the college regulations to use their family tongue during recreation lest they fail to learn the English language.
The first Jesuit Priest of Xavier, in 1840, was Father John Anthony Elet, a native of the French-speaking provinces of Belgium.
The great patron of the University, St. Francis Xavier, a native of Spain, received his university education at the College of St. Barbe at the University of Paris and he helped found the Jesuit Order in Paris in 1540.
So, as Father Finn reasoned, the Musketeer, a dedicated guard of the King of France, was a fine symbol of the qualities that should inspire the students and particularly the athletic teams at Xavier University.
Blue Blob
The Blue Blob serves as a secondary mascot for the Xavier University athletic teams. The Blob is well known for being able to excite the crowd and is a favorite among the younger Musketeer fans. Perhaps one of the greatest memories of the Blob occurred when it was tackled by Theo Nelson following his made half-court shot to win one million dollars at the 2001 Skyline Chili Crosstown Shootout. Nelson and the Blue Blob were even featured on SportsCenter that evening following the game.