The man behind the mask

Alan Dalton in costume (Photo : Nick Pearce)

With his loose fur and mangy coat, you wouldn’t think the Dal Tiger is that athletic. And that’s where you’d be wrong.

The student who wears the yellow-and-black costume keeps in top physical shape by drumming up spirit at university sporting events (the costume acts as a portable sauna) and as a member of the varsity men’s soccer team.

“I definitely enjoy being the Tiger. I get paid to go to games I would likely go to anyway and be anonymous and a bit rowdy,” says Alan Dalton, the student who dons the mascot costume. “People are usually very friendly. There is the odd little kid that you scare, but I usually then try to act scared of them."

“It’s enjoyable. Hot, but enjoyable,” he adds with a laugh.

He’s sporty and smart. Earlier this year, the fourth-year kinesiology student was recognized for the second time for achieving academic all-Canadian status. 

“Schooling and grades are a high priority, but I’ve never counted GPA points. I just try and do as well as I can and see what happens.”

Attracted by the kinesiology program offered by the School of Health and Human Performance, the Halifax native says Dalhousie was the only university he applied to. He believes coming to Dalhousie has deepened his roots in the community.

“I have been getting involved in more aspects of Dal as the years go by. Working for athletics has made me more interested in other sports and following how other teams are doing.”

Besides acting as the Dal Tiger, he volunteers at a weekend gym for kids with physical disabilities. “I help get the kids ready to participate and help run the activities in anyway that I can.” He was introduced to the program through an adapted physical activity class he took at Dal.

Through the same class, Mr. Dalton participated in a group project: the students were tasked with developing a game, which they submitted to the Motrin My Game My Pain National Campus Challenge. His group, which won first prize for developing Ultimate Borden Ball, a cross between basketball and European handball played in rugby-style wheelchairs. The team donated its $2,500 to the Abilities Foundation, which used the money to purchase a new sport chair for a partner organization, the Nova Scotian in Motion Society.

That exposure to wheelchair athletics led him to become involved in the Maritime Wheelchair Basketball Association. He’s now a player on two teams, Halifax Heat and Halifax Storm. He practices with the teams twice a week and takes part in at least one tournament a month.

Next year, Mr. Dalton hopes to spend more time studying adapted physical activities to help prepare him for a physical-education teaching career. He’d also like to coach.

“Sport has allowed me to do so much, so helping others get involved is win-win.”