ALUMNI NEWS
Just Graduated
More Than a Mascot: One Graduate's Secret Role at FSU
BY MIA CROSS M'03
Selena Holguin ’25 was just like any other Frostburg State student juggling school, work and extracurriculars. But on weekends, game days and at big University events, she was something else entirely. She was the school mascot -- Bob E. Cat.
For nearly four years, Holguin lived a double life that almost no one knew about. While the campus cheered and posed for selfies with Bob, the student inside the suit quietly carried the responsibility of being the face and the spirit of Frostburg State University. It wasn’t until commencement in Dec. 2025, when she was publicly recognized for her service as the mascot, that the secret finally came out.
“It felt like living two lives at the same time,” Holguin said. “During the day, I was just another student stressing about assignments. At games and events, I became Bob. Knowing I could make someone’s day better without anyone knowing it was me made it really special and helped me feel connected to the school in a way I never expected.”
What most people never realized was just how much work goes into being Bob E. Cat. The mascot role was a demanding one. Holguin was constantly moving, and dancing with a commitment to staying upbeat no matter how tired or overheated she got. Once the suit was on, Holguin said, it stopped being about her and it became about representing Frostburg the right way.
And yes, it got hot. Really hot. Game days were especially intense, and staying hydrated was a challenge. Holguin credits the concessions staff for making sure Bob always had water and support.
“They honestly made a huge difference,” she said.
Still, the hard work paid off in the joyful moments. Bob’s signature moves (flossing and The Griddy) never failed to get the crowd hyped, especially the students. Feeding off that energy was one of Holguin’s favorite parts of the job. Of course, not every moment went exactly as planned. One of her funniest memories involved being tackled by an excited group of kids after signing autographs.
“It was chaotic but hilarious,” she laughed. “I had to be rescued.”
Keeping her identity a secret wasn’t always easy. Sitting in class and overhearing conversations about the mascot tested her self-control more than once. But the anonymity made the experience more meaningful.
“Like I said, Bob wasn’t about me. Bob was about the school, and that made it worth it.”
Over time, being Bob E. Cat became central to Holguin’s college experience. It connected her to campus life and gave her a sense of belonging she hadn’t expected. Her coach and cheer team became her second family, and they supported her at every game, competition and event.
In addition to being FSU’s beloved mascot, Holguin served as the Student Athlete Advisory Committee Co-Chair of the Leadership and Development Committee, worked as a Math Learning Assistant and was involved in the National Society of Leadership and Success and the Upsilon Pi Epsilon Honor Society.
The lessons Holguin is carrying into her next chapter are ones she learned inside the suit: discipline, time management and how to stay positive-even under pressure.
When asked if Bob E. Cat had one piece of graduation advice, Holguin said it would be to “show up.” Show up when you’re tired, when you’re unsure and when no one is watching. The moments that shape us most, she believes, are rarely the loud ones. They’re the quiet moments we carry with us long after the applause ends.
For years, the campus only saw the costume and the smiles and energy that came with it. What they didn’t see were the long days, the exhaustion and the quiet commitment behind it all. Now that the secret is out, one thing is clear -- when Holguin wore that suit, Bob E. Cat was more than a mascot. 🐾
“When people ask what Frostburg State University gave me, the easy answer is a degree,” Holguin said. “But the real answer is a family I didn’t know I needed.”
