Thor: A Mascot, Friend, and Icon

By Erica Liu

Sports at Hudson High School have always been an important part of extracurricular activities for students. The football team ended with a winning record of 9-3. The boy's basketball team boasts an impressive 3-1 start to their season –the first time they have had a winning record through their first four games since their 2018 season, where they went 15-9 throughout the season. The girl's basketball team has also seen impressive results, forcing two games into overtime in their first seven games, with one ending in a win and one loss. While these teams end up in the headlines of many articles and stories, there is one person always present and cheering on the team. His name is Thor –the school mascot– and he serves as the icon for the school.

Thor is the school mascot and is at many of the major student-led events and at sporting events. He has many jobs, from taking pictures with Explorer fans, to leading the student section with chants and cheers. “The energy at sporting events is electric,” says Thor, explaining how “you can tell that all the students have put in a lot of work and effort outside of school.” While Thor may not have conventional ways of “practicing”, unlike other sports, he says one of the hardest parts about being Thor is the mindset. As Thor explains it, “Once the mask goes on, you truly change from just yourself into something more than that.”

To prepare for the game, Thor usually comes thirty minutes before the game starts and puts on their attire. The Thor attire includes a muscle suit, ice packs, a suit, a mask, among other accessories. The suit can get very hot and uncomfortable, but Thor always has plenty of breaks for water and rest. Even though this job can sometimes be a thankless and busy task, Thor says that giving back to the community is worth it.

The effects of Thor can be seen throughout the community. During youth nights, he comes out and dances with the youth and can also be seen taking photos with all of his fans. He joins the band during football season, he joins the basketball cheerleaders and dances with them. Even if a certain play or game does not go in Hudson’s favor, Thor keeps his high energy up. Thor does it all and does so with a smile.
While the person behind Thor will always remain a mystery, it is evident how passionate they are about both sports and bringing joy to students. “The most fun part of being Thor is seeing the joy students get when they see me. It is truly an amazing experience to be able to bring such an energy to the students,” says Thor. Whether it be a school dance, youth night, or a football game, Thor will always be there to help support Hudson and create a happy and encouraging environment. But above all, Thor is a friend, and forever a part of the Hudson culture and community.