CFCC’s Mascot Unveiled—The Making of a Mascot

There’s no better time than Spirit Week to meet the personality behind CFCC’s Sea Devil mascot, Ray.

BUT FIRST, A QUICK HISTORY LESSON

In 1970, CFCC hosted a campus contest for students to draw a potential mascot. The winning entry was a symbolic Sea Devil.

Early Sea Devil mascots, circa 1970s

Fast forward three decades, the Sea Devil design underwent a makeover. The new official mascot was lovingly named Ray.

Since taking on its lively form, Ray has charmed students and won the hearts of the CFCC community — even winning a free sandwich from Chop’s Deli.

PEP CLUB PRODIGY

The face behind the mask moved to Wilmington to begin the next chapter of his life. He enrolled at CFCC where he learned about CFCC’s cheerleading team at the new student orientation.

Intrigued, he decided to attend the cheer tryouts.

He always enjoyed hyping up the crowd at his high school football games. An active member of the pep club, he didn’t realize he was preparing himself for his ultimate role as CFCC’s mascot.

“Yeah, I was that guy always hyping up the crowd,” he shared. “I loved doing it, so I thought why not do it at college.”

EMBRACING CFCC’S SPIRITED SEA DEVIL

Before the tryouts, he approached cheer coach Shannon Gunter to learn what experience he may need for tryouts. She suggested he consider a unique opportunity to fill the shoes of the fun-loving sea devil.

“My mind just lit up,” he enthused. “A mascot? Hmm. I might actually want to try that.”

He shared his contact information with Coach Gunter and on the first day of cheer tryouts, he received an invitation to attend. She asked him if he was still interested in cheering or being the mascot. He quickly accepted the mascot position.

AND THE REST IS HISTORY AS THEY SAY

Alter Ego Ray looks forward to donning the number 58 uniform. He has great fun representing CFCC at ball games and student events.

“When I go to events, all the little kids ask to take pictures with Ray,” he said. “It makes me happy that they love Ray and are not afraid of him.”

Ray’s impact is really felt when he dances with the cheer team. Initially, he was a solo act, running around and pumping up the crowd.

“The cheer team asked me to start coming to practices so they could include me in their dances,” he explained. “When I started participating in some of the cheer dances, the crowd went crazy! They actually cheered instead of sitting silent. It was a great moment!”

In his downtime, he studies for his classes and pursues his photography hobby.