It's Game Over for the Mascot Hall, and THIS Decision All But Confirms It

 It's over.

I never thought I would ever think that the Mascot Hall of Fame, as a building, would ever disappear. It just seemed like the kind of thing that could last forever.

But today's announcement that the 2024 Induction Class would be celebrated not with one Induction Ceremony - but 4 INDIVIDUAL ones in their hometowns - all but waves the checkered flag on the building in Whiting, Indiana - a few hours from my home.

It's over.

No Induction Ceremony on August 10. No more Induction Ceremonies ever, at least not in a physical building where mascot fans can gather together and celebrate the newest members of the Hall.

No more opportunities to meet and greet mascots you've never met before.

No more Fur Tie Fundraisers.

No more Mascot Conferences.

It's got to be over.

There's no reason for the Hall to make this decision if it didn't know that the building would soon be closing.

BP has won. The City of Whiting has won. The fun-killers have won.

They're gonna get their office space, and a cherished place to celebrate the unsung heroes of sport will forever be gone - again, not in terms of there being a Hall period, but no more physical building to have those memories and opportunities.

That building, the people that made that building, and the mascots themselves have all become like a 2nd family to me. Any time I made that drive to Whiting, once I made that turn onto Front Street and saw Reggy's face on the side of the building, I would always say, "Hello again, second family. It's good to see you again."

I just never thought I would have to say goodbye to it, on a permanent level.

I understand the reasons why it's leaving. The goal was for the museum to be self-sustaining, and have it be a part of one giant sports complex. Those plans never materialized, so the museum had to fend for itself. It just couldn't. It was losing more money for the city than it was making.

Yes, the museum has been great for tourism. Yes, it has its passionate following. Yes, it's won numerous awards and appeared on plenty of shows.

But tourism and attention alone wasn't enough to keep it afloat.

It's kind of a hopeless feeling for me that I couldn't do more. I was a member for many years, but I could only afford to do the $35 yearly membership - the lowest level possible. I won a few items at the silent auctions during the fundraiser, the most notable and cherished being a game-worn jersey of SJ Sharkie from the San Jose Sharks. I've bought many items from the gift shop over the years.

And yet, even after all that, it's still going to be disappearing as a physical building.

The Mascot Hall hasn't officially said that it's closing for good. I have reached out to the staff to ask if today's decision is a sign that the hammer is being dropped.

But I think I know the answer I'm going to get.

I have to make one final trip to Whiting before it's gone. I'm going to take a ton of pictures, because I want to remember what made the facility so amazing to enjoy. I want to truly cherish the final time I'm going to be there.

I will not soon forget the many highlights I had there.

My first Induction Weekend/Meet-and-Greet in 2019, when I was wearing my Royals uniform as Sluggerrr was part of the Induction class. Who should be the first mascot I meet when I go upstairs on the 3rd floor Furitorium for the breakfast? Sluggerrr, right there at the door. Yes, fate can be a cruel mistress, but when it's on your side, it can be a sweet moment. Sluggerrr was also my 50th mascot met, so it was extra special. I met so many other mascots that day, including legends like Aubie, Nittany Lion, Phillie Phanatic, Gorilla, Coyote, and Benny the Bull. But also some of my favorites and good friends like YouDee and Southpaw.

How about August 2019, when the NHL Mascot Conference made its first appearance at the Hall? Hosted by Tommy Hawk, it was great to catch up with several mascot friends I had met in Nashville in 2016, such as my good friends ThunderBug, Gnash, Slapshot and Bailey. But finally getting to meet Sparky the Dragon from the Islanders was the big highlight, along with Gritty from the Flyers.

I finally got to meet the Oriole Bird from the Baltimore Orioles in December 2019. I always appreciated him because he wears actual stirrups, and he's one of two in MLB that do, along with my favorite, Sluggerrr.

Then I didn't get to meet a mascot for 625 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic [and I even survived it myself in January 2021]. But on September 11, 2021, the streak ended thanks to Homer the Dragon's appearance at the Hall. And he was an absolute treat and blast with us mascot fans. I even got 'chomped' by this lovable mascot from the Charlotte Knights, the White Sox' affiliate.

Another highlight was on November 5, 2021 at the fundraiser. The Cleveland Guardians' mascot Slider and the Hot Dogs played some tunes with their band before the inductees were announced. Not only did I get to sing WITH the band, but I EVEN GOT TO PLAY MUSTARD'S GUITAR. Right then and there, Mustard became my favorite of the group. Unfortunately, the Dogs turned their backs on him and demoted him down to the minor leagues. I'm still upset with the team over that decision, but I love Mustard forever for his kindness in that moment.

Getting to meet Globie from the Harlem Globetrotters in 2022 was an absolute treat, and then I met my 75th mascot overall on January 21, 2023 when DIBS from DePaul made an appearance at the Hall. DIBS could not have been more nice and outstanding, and I showed how much I appreciated his love and support. I became a DePaul fan right then and there, and now support the basketball program hardcore. DIBS was also a finalist for the 2024 class, and we had several conversations on Instagram and Twitter about trying to get him inducted. I know he won't stop trying, even if there won't be a physical building anymore. Love you always, DIBS.

Finally, 2023 was also a huge year in that I finally got to meet one of my favorite minor league mascots in Shelldon from the Daytona Tortugas. I also got to meet the 2023 inductees, Slugger the Sea Dog and Otto the Orange. The year ended when I got to meet several MLB mascots I hadn't met before at their Mascot Madness event. Wally, Fredbird, Bernie Brewer, and Lou Seal were a joy to meet. But the major highlight was meeting three of my other favorites of teams that I support: Mr. and Mrs. Met from the New York Mets, and Dinger from the Colorado Rockies. I kept my tears of joy in that day, but I was definitely emotional on the inside as I met these three amazing mascots.

The last four mascots I will ever end up meeting at the Hall would be Sparky from the Chicago Fire, Skates from the Chicago Wolves, Gus T. Bull from the Windy City Bulls, and Bearcat from the Cincinnati Bearcats.

I've met 92 mascots in person over 14 years. 35 of those mascots, I've met at the Mascot Hall.

Not having that building and opportunity to meet more is going to be a major blow to me. If I'm going to meet any of those mascots on my bucket list, they will either have to come to Indiana, or I'd have to go to their neck of the woods.

But even as I prepare to say farewell, I want to say THANK YOU to all those who made that building special. Thank you to all those who made that building unique. Thank you to all those who made every single event worth attending.

Just......THANK YOU. I can't say it enough. I can't express it enough.

I will be FOREVER GRATEFUL to every single moment I had in that building. Every smile, every laugh, every cry, every dance, every meeting, every hug, every handshake, every fist-bump...everything.

Thank you all for everything you did for mascot fans and the city of Whiting over your time here. And even though you won't be in my backyard anymore, it won't stop me from loving the furternity.

NOTHING can ever do that - because that's what the fun-killers would want.

Thank you for everything you did FOR ME. If I made you smile as much as the mascots made me smile, then I accomplished my goal.

I love you, Mascot Hall of Fame.

Forever.