PHOTO BY FIRSTNAME LAST CREDIT TK During the 2025-26 school year, 10 OSU students are serving as Bennys and Bernices. Following tradition, during their time in the suit their identities are revealed only on a need-to-know basis: mom and dad, maybe some friends or Greek brothers and sisters who might notice you’re never at a game with them. Now, prior to a men’s basketball game against University of the Pacific, one of those 10 is hydrating big-time. Today’s Benny says this is Step One in his pregame routine: “First I have to physically prepare — like make sure I have a lot of water in me because it gets very hot in there.” Suiting up involves putting on a thick fur onesie that weighs about 10 pounds — more once the sweat begins to seep in — and strapping on the tail; putting on the basketball uniform and lacing up the shoes; donning the huge Benny head, in which a skullcap is suspended to fit on the wearer’s head (vision is limited to what can be seen out of Benny’s nose); and finally, putting on the paws. At this point, the wearer is breathing deeply the strong, aromatic musk of all those who have previously worn the suit. “It’s awful,” said Darrin Paine, ’01, a Benny and Bernice from 1997 to 2000. “It smells like sweat.” It’s all part of the tradition that began almost 75 years ago. Spring 2026 33 ↑ 2026: The mascot locker room in Gill Coliseum holds costumes, supplies and many historic heads. 2026 SECRET STARS Special thanks to our student mascot volunteers.
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