Thursday, March 15, 2007
George Washington is on his cellphone from California. Yes, that George: America's Big Daddy.
The opportunities can be few and far between for a president who has been dead for 208 years. But George has managed to land a nice gig, one that allows him to remain true to his 18th-century self (and even wear the same clothes).
He's the mascot for the George Washington University Colonials. Traveling to the team's opening NCAA tournament game against Vanderbilt tonight in Sacramento, Russell Nemiroff, the GWU junior who channels the president, reflected on life as a sideline-strutting, high-fiving George:
Good afternoon, Mr. President.
I prefer George, just George.
Okay, well, George it is. Where did you sleep last night?
A Doubletree Hotel. No, not in the presidential suite, though I was hoping for it.
Did you powder your wig?
No need. George's hair is always perfect.
What's on the president's menu before a big game?
A granola bar and water.
Do you ever dream you really are George Washington?
Um, no.
What experience did you have that made you right to be George?
In middle school, I was New Jersey's state dinosaur mascot. Then in high school, I was a panther. By the time I got to GW, I knew I was interested.
How long do you typically wait before you tell a new friend that you spend your free time dressing up as George?
It's not something I advertise, per se. It adds to the mystique. It's kind of fun to be an enigma, to have this double life.
Have you told your parents?
They think it's the funniest thing. They never thought my being a dinosaur would lead to me being president.
The Washington Nationals have their own George Washington, the one who races other presidents between innings. What do you think of him?
I don't know what you're talking about. I've never heard of him. I'm the one and only.
How does George spend the offseason?
Counting down the days until basketball starts again.
-- Paul Schwartzman
View all comments that have been posted about this article.