By Amelia Bickel
Local Alligatoraphobe
Washington College’s baseball, softball, tennis, and women’s lacrosse teams all travelled to Florida for a week of games over spring break, but the athletes returned with more than just memories—they also brought back a new reptilian mascot: Augustus the Alligator.
Christened in honor of WC’s dearly departed Gus the Goose, Augustus is a 13-foot-long, 900-pound friend waiting to be made.
The massive gator first appeared on March 8, up in the stands at the baseball team’s first Florida game. Although the opposing team had held the advantage prior to Augustus’s arrival, the Shoremen pulled forward shortly afterward and maintained the lead until the end for a 17-5 victory. The same day, the gator was also spotted at softball’s first win of the week, 11-7 against Carroll. After that, Augustus was sighted at every game that WC teams won and was notably absent from every game that the College lost.
How Augustus managed to appear at different events in different locations on the same day remains unknown, even though—according to Texas Parks & Wildlife—gators can run up to 35 mph on land in short bursts. Some speculate that Augustus may possess the ability to exist in multiple places at once, as was apparently the case when the baseball, men’s tennis, and women’s lacrosse teams all spotted him during their games on March 11.
“I think [Augustus] is WAC’s lucky charm,” WC sports fanatic and reptile enthusiast Chester ‘Chomp’ Vernon said. “I’m excited to see how far the teams go with his support.”
Large Reptile Expert Croc Gatorson helped the WC teams transport Augustus to Chestertown at the end of spring break. Gatorson was impressed that Augusts seems to have taken a liking to the Shoremen and Shorewomen.
“It’s not every day you see a gator develop such an alliance with a college sports team,” Gatorson said. “It’s interesting that Augustus found a home in Goose Nation. Crocodilians are actually evolutionarily closely related to birds, so it’s almost a similar thing.”
Some WC fans are worried about Augustus’ motives and intentions.
“I can’t help but wonder if that gator heard about Gus the Goose and got the wrong idea,” WC alumnus Washington Gooseman said. “It does make me a little nervous that they’re bringing an alligator to a campus of geese.”
However, a local assured the teams that Augustus will make a great addition to the WC community.
“Alligators really get a bad rap,” Florida Man said. “I’ve got one named Margaret who lives under my porch, and she’s a sweetheart.” *
Augustus now resides in the basement of the Caine Athletic Center and occasionally visits the Casey Swim Center to do laps. He may be training to compete alongside the swim team come next season. Thanks to his incredible speed, Augustus may also join the running club.
In a professional capacity, Augustus will oversee WC’s home games in a custom-fitted Goose Nation jersey designed by the College. His trademark toothy grin acts as an encouraging sign to WC players and a worrying threat to opponents.
New mascot Sweetlips was unavailable for comment regarding Augustus’s arrival.
*The Elm is not responsible for any injury and/or death that may result from alligator interaction. Students and community members are advised to use caution if approaching Augustus or any other large and dangerous reptile. Alligators are not native to Maryland, so any student who witnesses Augustus leaving campus should contact Public Safety immediately so that he can be restrained before he upsets the natural ecosystem.
Photo Caption: Mascot Augustus drools with excitement at the thought of another win for Washington College.
Photo by Lady Ella the Small