While the presence of an enthusiastic man with a large plastic head and an outdated style of dress may now be taken for granted at any large basketball or football game, fans should realize that such athletic support was not always available.
Until Whitbeck took over the job, there was a span of nearly a decade when the Jeffs were mascot-free, due to an incident involving an actual sword, some angry Williams fans and a previous Lord Jeff who was nearly incited to use violence in order to preserve his life. As a result, the athletic staff was noticeably hesitant when during his sophomore year, Whitbeck approached the department asking for an official title and funding for a Lord Jeff costume. However, Whitbeck's initiative (and willingness not to brandish a weapon on the job) captured the attention of Athletic Director Peter Gooding, and soon Whitbeck had himself an unpaid job and regular gig.
Although not normally allowed to travel with teams to away games, Whitbeck never misses a home competition, and has even travelled back to Amherst during Reunion Weekend on his own time. He touts a 12-0 record with the football team on Pratt Field, a winning record with the men's basketball team and one failed attempt as mascot at an Amherst Golf tournament. He also goes beyond the call of duty by researching the upcoming competition.
"Tripp always lets me know how good or bad the team we are playing that week should be," praised Jeff quarterback/wide receiver Jim Devine '04. "I doubt most mascots take the time to scout the other teams in the league or talk to the football players, but Tripp does both and we all appreciate it."
Life isn't all cheers and wins as a mascot though. During Whitbeck's first Amherst-Williams encounter, a football game in 2000, he suffered four student-led attacks, two of which involved Amherst students who lashed out at Whitbeck for "representing the oppressor." Whitbeck has also been knocked down and criticized for "not moving around or dancing enough." Finally, when Whitbeck made his first-ever journey to Williams College as a mascot, he had to be accompanied by three police escorts and confined to a small, supervised cheering area.
The logistics of the actual mascot costume are equally complicated. "The head is incredibly large," Whitbeck lamented. "It is strapped under my arms, making it difficult to move." Furthermore, Whitbeck explained, "It's brutally hot in the head, and I have to keep my own head still when I move, or else the entire ensemble will tip wildly to one side."
With only one semester remaining before graduation, Whitbeck is eagerly seeking an "equally shameless" volunteer to keep the tradition of the Lord Jeff mascot alive. Gooding has already begun to lament the future loss of Whitbeck. "He supports the school in an almost entirely altruistic sense," he said. "Tripp is unpaid, and few people know who is under that head." Although he may not be the one to make the winning three-pointer or kick the decisive field goal, Whitbeck's contribution to Amherst athletics is one that is arguably just as important, and will certainly leave as memorable a legacy.