Meet the faces behind the mascot

R.B. loves to frolic with his fans and flirt with the ladies, and while electrifying the crowd is part of his job description, the bubbly personality doesn't come with the costume. It's the students inside the purple suit that bring R.B. to life.

To make sure that R.B. is pumped and ready for his many appearances, three students were chosen to fill his big shoes and even bigger personality. Clayton W. Adams, Zayda  Dorantes and Dallas A. Diaz are the students who make R.B. the sensation that he is.

This is R.B.'s inaugural year, and each of these students has gotten him off to an "R.B. Stepping" start while garnering experiences that will last a lifetime.

Clayton Adams

Clayton Wayne Adams is a native Texan and an accomplished singer, songwriter and auctioneer. Adams, who came to ACC to expand his repertoire with a degree in radiology, has also gained the distinction of being the first person to don the Riverbat costume.

Adams, 37, is no stranger to the world of mascots. In Houston, he was the celebrated Channelview High School Falcon, and as president of the Smithville New Generation Lions club, he also dons their Easter bunny and Lion mascot costumes when the need arises. "Maybe I'll be Santa Claus next," Adams jokes.

Always the consummate performer, when he heard about the ACC mascot auditions, Adams knew he had to try out.

Previous experience has helped the 6-foot-2 Adams contribute to functional aspects of the costume design. He was also able to advise the other students who were selected to portray R.B.

While in the costume, a performer breathes in more carbon dioxide than normal.  This can contribute to feeling light-headed. Breathing slowly in the costume is essential, Adams said.

When asked what he thought about the mascot being a Riverbat, Adams said he loved it.

"The Riverbat is unique. No other mascot fits Austin better. It's not the usual cougar. We didn't need to be a ferocious tiger or something," said Adams

Adams is proud to represent ACC as R.B., and looks forward to someday telling his 11-month-old son, and even his grandchildren, that he was the first one to wear the Riverbat costume.

In addition to his mascot duties, Adams performs locally with his band. You can learn more about it at www.claytonadamsband.com.

Zayda Dorantes

California-born Zayda Dorantes received her first introduction to the role of mascot when she filled in as the Cedar Park High School Timberwolf for one week.

When the opportunity arose to try out for role of R.B., the 21-year-old government major thought it would be fun and jumped at the chance.

Encouraged by her boyfriend, Dorantes created a tape with tunes from the 1940s through the present for the Riverbat try-outs. During her audition, Dorantes was decked out in a pink bunny suit and recalls using some of Michael Jackson's ‘Thriller' moves in her routine.

Dorantes, a Flamenco dancer in her spare time, has learned to deal with unique situations while performing. She has learned to be especially mindful of those around her. Although R.B. enjoys interaction with the crowd, when it comes to his peripheral vision, he's as blind as a bat.

Young fans of R.B. have also provided teachable moments.

Young children are sometimes scared by a "large mascot towering over them," said Dorantes. In order to calm them, R.B. gets down to their level on one knee and then hugs their mom or someone nearby to show kindness.

In order to prepare for R.B.'s performances, Dorantes listens to the R.B. Step and drinks plenty of water. Staying hydrated is essential in a mascot costume that can become very hot, very quickly.

Dorantes said she looks forward to posing for pictures, interacting with the crowd and dancing when she performs.

Making an appearance on Univision was one of Dorantes' most memorable experiences in the R.B. costume.

Dallas Diaz

Dallas Altagracia Diaz, a self-described "army brat", has lived in Kentucky, Colorado, and Fort Hood in addition to living in Austin.

Diaz, inspired by her older, hearing-impaired brothers, came to ACC to become a sign language interpreter. However, it was her adventurous spirit and desire to get involved at school that led her to audition for R.B.'s role.

"I wanted to let people to know what a great school ACC is," said Diaz.

The 19-year-old salsa dancer is an avid performer and a member of the Austin Glee Club. She describes her mascot duties as the "best job ever" because of the wonderful people she gets to work with and the interaction with the crowd.

Diaz was wholeheartedly in favor of the Riverbat as the college mascot. She lit up when she talked about watching the bats at the Congress Avenue Bridge with her mother.

Before donning the Riverbat costume and doing the R.B. dance, Diaz listens to music to clear her mind. Her easy-going personality helps her handle the unusual situations that sometimes pop up while performing.

Clad in green sweat pants and Spongebob slippers, Diaz described one of her R.B. related experiences.  

During a performance an eight-year-old boy came up to R.B., punched him in the groin and started laughing. "R.B. is a boy," Diaz explained. "So I did the whole bending over thing, pretending to be hurt."  R.B. then rubbed his index fingers,or rather bat wings together in the customary sign for "shame, shame".  The boy's mother scolded him, and R.B. was no worse for wear.

No matter who wears the costume, R.B. represents a diverse student body.

In turn, three individuals, with three different personalities and unique perspectives, unite to form as one engaging, unifying and spirited mascot.