New Jersey mascot reveals secret identity at Montclair State University graduation

A Student’s Surprise Revelation: The College Mascot Unveiled

On a day filled with celebration, Aly Erario, a recent graduate of Montclair State University, stunned her friends by revealing a secret she had kept for over a year.

For the past year, Aly had been the spirited mascot known as Rocky the Red Hawk at the institution’s sporting events.

Mascots are instructed to keep their identities hidden until after graduation, making Aly’s revelation all the more exciting on her special day.

As she stood with her friends in her Rocky costume on graduation day, Aly finally removed the mask to unveil herself as the beloved mascot.

Reflecting on the moment, Aly, now a radio office manager in Newark, New Jersey, shared, “The moment played out better than I ever could have imagined.”

Aly’s journey as Rocky began over a year and a half ago when she sought to challenge herself during college by joining ‘Team Rocky’ and supporting the mascot in various capacities.

After starting as a handler and portraying Rocky’s sister, Roxy the Red Hawk, Aly eventually took on the role of Rocky himself for her senior year, describing it as one of the highlights of her college experience.

She shared, “Seeing people smile and get so excited to see the school mascot felt so rewarding, and I loved knowing that I was able to bring a little bit of joy into people’s days.”

From debuting a new mascot suit to traveling to Florida with the team, Aly cherished the opportunities and memories she made as Rocky.