Name – Eric Bell
UW-Stout graduation year – December, 1978
Major – Business and Finance
Athletic Involvement – Blue Devil mascot. At the time the mascot had a big blue devil head made out of paper mache, he had bib overalls and a blue cape. The Blue Devil worked closely with the cheerleaders and their stunts.
Years worked as the mascot – 76, 77, 78
Hometown (High School) – Wauwatosa (West)
Currently Reside – Brunswick, Ohio, for 19 years
Why did you choose to come to UW-Stout? I didn't go to college right after high school and took a year off. I then went to UW-Waukesha for two years. My older sister graduated from Stout in 1970 and I got to see campus when I visited her a couple times. My sister had a good experience at Stout as she received the Medallion Award for leadership. I always liked the campus so I transferred in 1975.
Why did you choose to become the mascot? I was working as the assistant to the director of student activities underneath Bill Siedlecki and Bob Johnson. Bill was in charge of the mascot and I basically was appointed by him. I was also a member of the band so I was familiar with the games and didn't mind trying it out.
What did you like most about being the mascot? On the lighter side, I got to get into all of the games for free! But I really enjoyed being the mascot as I am a die-hard sports fan. I was able to interact with a lot of fans while trying to entertain the crowd.
What is the greatest lesson you learned from being the mascot? I believe that whenever you get involved, you learn valuable life lessons such as teamwork and how to deal with people. It was a great learning experience and I have translated that into my professional job in retail business where I need great people skills and have an all-hands-on-deck attitude.
Who has been the most influential person in your time at Stout? Bill Siedlecki was a good man to work for and Lynn Pritchard allowed me to direct his pep band. That was the first time he had ever let a student take over.
What is your most memorable or favorite sports moment at UW-Stout? I was able to do some skating routines on the ice during hockey games while doing cheerleading moves. Also, one game the marching band was low on musicians so at halftime I went under the bleachers and changed into my band outfit. I went out and performed and then changed outfits for the second half. Those are a couple great memories that I will never forget.
How would your friends describe you as a person and in costume? I was very energetic and would run and up down the sidelines. I even flirted with my girlfriend in costume so everybody quickly realized who I was. I just liked to have a good time and I think that is why it was a good fit to be the mascot.
Are you in contact with any former Stout alumni? (If so, who?) I am still in contact with a fraternity brother, Pete Chismon, and one high school buddy that I roomed with for a year, Joe Huley.
Outside of being the mascot, what other activities were you involved in at Stout? I was an advocate for being involved so I was the vice president of Resident Hall Council, activities director of the Great Lakes Association for all resident halls in the Great Lakes area, president of Alpha Phi Omega for one year, president of the band for three years, and associate conductor of the band for two years under Lynn Pritchard. Like my sister, I received the Medallion Award for leadership my senior year.
Give us a brief synopsis of your life since graduating from Stout? I met my wife at Stout on the first day of being on campus. However, I didn't end up asking her out until November. We dated throughout college and she graduated just before me in May of 1978. After graduating I worked for Sanger Harris, which is a department store in Dallas, Texas, for six years. I then moved to Atlanta, Ga., to work for Uptons, a department store, for three years. From there I moved to Milwaukee to work for PA Bergners for six years and Chicago for three years to work for Montgomery Ward. About 19 years ago I started working for Joann Fabrics and this last year I went to Wilton Brand as the director of operations and merchandise.
I have three daughters, one granddaughter and a grandson on the way in early January. My youngest daughter is an assistant orthodontist, my middle is a first grad teacher, and the oldest is a director of youth and family ministry at a church.
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