Many students arriving at a new school just try to blend in. New students typically don’t draw a lot of attention and hardly ever seek out attention right away. For Joseph Hobbs, the story of his arrival at Missouri Southern State University reads differently.

During his second semester at Southern, Hobbs was offered a place on the Spirit Squad. He wasn’t going to be a “yell leader” or a manager of the team. His job carries a more significant responsibility.

He became Larry the Lion: The mascot and face of MSSU athletics.

“I became the school’s mascot rather by accident,” Hobbs said. “I have a class with Heather, the female mascot, and apparently they had lost their last male mascot a while back. She asked if I would be interested and when I said yes, she went ahead and introduced me to the leader of the cheerleaders.”

Senior Ben Crowe, who left the Spirit Squad mid-semester to fulfill training staff obligations to the baseball team, said Hobbs was a perfect fit for the role of Larry the Lion.

“The person who is actually inside the suit always brings a piece of themselves into the character,” Crowe said. “Joe was smart and funny. He was great with kids and had that bubbly personality that you must possess to do that job.”

Aside from a friendly personality, the mascot also has to be able to do certain dance routines with the Spirit Squad. For most men, doing a dance routine can present a rather difficult challenge.

Senior Elise Edman, who has been a cheerleader for several years, said the routines can be challenging for anybody.

“I’ve practiced and performed the routines so many times its ridiculous, but I still get off beat or mess up sometimes,” Edman said.

“Now, put on a boiling suit and do the routines without hardly being able to see? I’m pretty sure I would fall and die.”

For Hobbs, the job of Larry the Lion is not really an obligation at all. Aside from learning dance moves, entertaining fans and boosters and getting high-fives from the children of the area his job is worth more than a scholarship.

To Joseph Hobbs, his goal isn’t just to do the job, but make fans come back wanting more.

“I think the best part of being Larry the Lion is the chance that I get to make the audience enjoy the sport more,” Hobbs said.

“I try to make my entire focus be on them and how I can help them not only have more fun, but also desire to come back and support MOSO.”

Hobbs keeps his schedule busy aside from his duties as Larry the Lion. Born in Bolivia, Southern drew his attention for it’s emphasis on study abroad programs. Although he is only a freshman, Hobbs has his sights set on a foreign language double major.

“Currently, I am a French and Speech Communication double major with a Spanish minor, but I wouldn’t be too surprised if that changed,” Hobbs said.

“I was drawn to this school primarily for the amazing study abroad opportunities that seemed so readily available here. I’m part of the honors program, and they have really encouraged me to seek out study abroad options and possibilities.”