Win or lose, through KG and K-Love, the one constant in two decades of Minnesota Timberwolves basketball has been the team's official mascot, the beloved Crunch.
Fueled by Mountain Dew and drive-through tacos, Crunch works his tail off at 40 home games a year, charging up fans even when Target Center might have something less than a full house.
"It is crazy how riled up 'Wolves fans have been this year,'" Crunch told @work in an exclusive interview. "All I have to do is bang my drum once and the crowd is clapping their hands along with me! It's awesome. I have signs that say 'NOISE' and 'ON YOUR FEET' to let the crowd now it is time to get loud!"
Busy the entire game, Crunch performs skits and stunts and often seizes the spotlight during timeouts. His interaction with fans includes frequent stops at seat locations and suites to greet birthday parties and groups.
Crunch logs nearly 200 appearances a year at events other than Wolves games, from parades, high school games and birthday parties to corporate events and the occasional wedding.
Three and out with T-Wolves' mascot Crunch
- What's your pre-game routine?
It starts with a pre-game meeting at 4 where I do my best to try not to fall asleep. Then it is some Mountain Dew followed by some stretching followed by more Mountain Dew! That's pretty much my pre-game routine. Lots and lots of Mountain Dew.
- Any T-shirt shooter mishaps?
Sadly, yes there was an incident a few years back. It wasn't what you think though. I am a sniper with that thing when it comes to aim. The problem was in loading one of the CO2 tanks that fuel the gun. I didn't turn the valve off completely, and when I tried to switch the tank, CO2 blasted my assistant and freeze-burned his hand pretty bad. He was OK though. I think he played it up to be worse than it really was.
- Any other pro mascots whose work you appreciate, in any sport, for any team? Any other mascots who you're less fond of?
T.C. Bear from the Minnesota Twins is a pretty good buddy of mine. We like to kick it ice fishing during his offseason and when the Wolves are on the road. I am pretty close too with the Utah Jazz Bear. He is crazy with all of the stunts he does. We like to brainstorm crazy ways to jump through hoops of fire or ride bikes down the stairs and stuff. The only mascot I am not too very fond of is Benny the Bull from the Chicago Bulls, but unfortunately because of the pending court case I am not allowed to talk about it.
Three more and out with Crunch
- How do you prepare for your signature acrobatic, aerial dunks?
More times than not, I just close my eyes and go for it. A lot of times ... I think to myself, 'Ha! I can't believe I made it!'
- What's the best part of your job as a mascot?
The best part of my job, as cliché as it sounds, is to get to be around Wolves fans and young basketball players and Fans. It is a lot of fun to see kids play basketball and to see kids at the games looking up to the players and dreaming of playing in the NBA someday. That and to get to hang out with the Timberwolves Dancers I guess. That is pretty cool too.
- Who wins in an arm wrestling contest — you or (WNBA Lynx mascot) Prowl?
It's close. Currently I am ahead in the series four to two. But Prowl has been in the gym lately and is much more flexible than I am, so I'm a little concerned about the next time we go at it.
