NY Liberty - Liberty Mascot


		Maddie at Work
		Mascot Card
		Maddie Video

The San Diego Chicken, the Philly Fanatic, Mr. Met and now Maddie, the Mascot for the Liberty, are all characters designed to delight young fans and put smiles on the faces of all who attend the games. Naturally, someone is inside that suit, acting silly and generating excitement. The mascot is a fan leader in the arena and is often called upon for special team events such as parties, dinners, charity visits and photographs. Robert "Diz" Di Fiore Jr. is the man who brings Maddie to life at Liberty home games. For his day job, he works at a day camp in the summer and as a study hall supervisor at a high school in the winter. On game days he dons the costume shortly before game time. "At games I have fun, make people laugh, get hugs, give hugs, take pictures and lose seven pounds of weight. I don't always know what I'm going to do next" says Robert, who enjoys the job very much, but occasionally encounters a "mascot unfriendly" fan or two.

Di Fiore, who hopes to be an actor/comedian in the future, got his Communications degree from St. Johns University in 1994, by which time he had already started working as a mascot for college teams. "A girl asked me to be a cheerleader and I told her 'no way but I would be a mascot.' So, when they had try-outs I went, and the rest is history." After college, Di Fiore had a short stint with the Islanders and was then hired by the Liberty.

He considers it an acting job and a way of honing your entertainment skills. Being high energy, loving children and being "a little off, in a good sense" are the attributes Di Fiore feels you need for the job. Basically, "you either have it or you don't," adds Robert, who sees most mascots as entertainers, gymnasts (or at least an athletic type) or both. It's also important to stay in good physical shape for this job.

Anyone who really enjoys entertaining, can work the crowd, be spontaneous and have fun (inside a warm costume) can consider being a mascot for some fun, plus acting and entertaining training.