Courtesy of Mawutor Fiavey

Senior Mawutor Fiavey has played “Will D. Cat” at Villanova sports events since his sophomore year.

As the basketball season comes to a close and spring sports celebrate their seniors, there’s one standout senior who deserves recognition, even if most people don’t know his name.

Behind the oversized Wildcat head and the signature Villanova blue eyes of Will D. Cat is senior pre-dental student Mawutor Fiavey. After three years, Fiavey is finally ready to step into the spotlight and reveal his identity. 

Though there is only one Will D. Cat costume, a team of students takes turns wearing the suit and performing at Villanova sports games and campus events. Fiavey decided to give it a shot during his sophomore year after watching Villanova reach the Final Four in the men’s tournament as a freshman.

“I remember I saw posters for the Will D. Cat tryout around Bartley, around the library [and] even in the Davis Center when I was at the gym,” Fiavey said. “And I was like, ‘Alright, let me go to the info session.’ It was packed to the brim. I didn’t think I was going to get it, just because there were a lot of people.”

Despite the large showings each year at Will D. Cat tryouts, the process of joining the team is selective. The first round of tryouts consists of an informal interview, during which prospects have to present a 30-second sketch showing off their dance moves and improv skills. 

If they make it through the first round, they then move onto a trial run, in which they get to put the suit on and walk around campus, while being evaluated on their interactions with others.

“I think I just did, like, random dances, because I just didn’t really know what to do,” Fiavey said, remembering his tryout. “They liked me enough. Round two tryouts consisted of me walking around in Connelly Center with the whole suit, just interacting with people while two seniors were watching me interact with people. If they liked me enough, they [would] email me. I really didn’t think I was going to get it, but I got the email along with someone else and was inducted into the team. It’s been an honor.” 

Fiavey’s role involves much more than playful dances and waving to fans. It requires serious training. Will D. Cat is often front and center with the cheerleaders. He performs challenging stunts, such as the “world pyramid,” where cheerleaders balance on his shoulders. 

To develop the strength and skills needed for the job, team members attend mascot camp each summer, training alongside mascots from other universities and even professional sports teams across the country.

“I’ll be honest. It’s an interesting time,” Fiavey said. “‘Interesting’ is the best word to describe it, but I feel like I’ve learned a good amount of skills from camp. I’ve met a lot of friends, and even my best friend from camp, as well.”

The mascot camp allowed Fiavey to connect with his team members and other mascots while developing the skills he needed to portray an energetic and athletic Will D. Cat.

“It’s just, like, a team bonding moment, because you’re in this sweaty room for hours on hours,” Fiavey said. “Just mascotting and perfecting your skills while you’re being judged by different coaches that mascot’ed  professionally. Who would have thought that sweating so much was bringing teammates closer together?”

Despite all the sweat and effort that goes into performing as Will D. Cat, the role comes with plenty of rewards: most notably, the joy Fiavey brings to every Villanova event and to everyone he meets on the job.

“It’s just an honor and a privilege to get to inspire a lot of kids out there with every high five that I give them,” Fiavey said. “I have a lot of kids come up to me for autographs. I’ve met so many different types of people at games and events. I’m just glad that I’m able to put a smile on someone’s face, whether you’re a kid, whether you’re a pre-teen, a teen, an adult, a grown-up or the elderly.” 

With the cheer season coming to an end soon, tryouts to be Will D. Cat are approaching. As of now, an official date has not been set, but tryouts will take place in April. Information on tryouts can be found on the Villanova Cheer webpage, or the Villanova Cheer Instagram account. 

“Don’t knock it ‘til you try it,” Fiavey said. “In all honesty, I never thought I’d be a mascot. But you learn so that you could even apply it to your everyday life. You’re more personable. You get to interact with different age groups, and you feel comfortable with that because you’re already comfortable being in a hot and sweaty suit and doing the same thing.”