Last summer, Capital University announced the retirement of the school’s nickname and mascot. Now, Cappy the Crusader is speaking out.
In a shocking, tell-all interview, Cappy revealed his hidden position within the university’s social sphere: for the past two and half years, the mascot has been the operator of @TrapitalU, the Twitter page responsible for coordinating the Sheridan Ave. party scene.
“I’m not sure whether or not my affiliation with Trapital had anything to do with the impending mascot change,” remarked Cappy, smiling his trademarked closed-mouth grin. “I’m just not sure what to believe anymore.”
While the “Crusader” has been Capital University’s school nickname since the 1960s, the mascot was only adopted in 2008. The moniker “Cappy” was voted upon by the student body, and this naming was just the beginning of a close bond.
Cappy has always felt a kinship with the Capital University student body. “Leading the cheers, up there in those stands, it always felt like we were connected on a deeper level,” he shares.
But at the end of every sports season, a chasm opened between Cappy and the Cap students. Without the link of the student section, Cappy experienced growing feelings of isolation. From afar, he would watch the campus community enjoy spring afternoons at the fountains and late-night study sessions. He knew that something had to be done to bring him into the #CapFam.
So, during the fall semester of 2018, Cappy joined the digital age, taking to Twitter with his new initiative to bring campus closer: Trapital.
“Everyone loves parties, and everyone loves the person throwing parties,” Cappy says, still smiling. “My choice was obvious.”
On @TrapitalU, Cappy was able to use his superior community-building skills, creating an exclusive online forum. The social media platform gave him access to all Capital students, and the parties touted by the page were always top-notch.
The Twitter page soon gained a measure of notoriety. Everyone wanted to know: Who was Trapital?
But Cappy diligently maintained his silence, not wanting his goody-two shoes reputation to taint the wild Trapital. Students were enjoying his parties, and for a while, that was enough.
The petition to change the Crusader nickname was a shock to Cappy, but the announcement that the mascot would be changing, too, was devastating.
“I understand the potentially harmful context of the nickname, I really do.” Although his voice is breaking, Cappy’s smirk remains fixed to his face. “But did they have to retire ME?”
In the wake of the announcement, Cappy agonized over the fate of Trapital. How could he surrender an account that meant so much to him?
But with his days at Capital numbered, Cappy made the decision to come forward to The Chimes, in order to tell his story on his own terms.
He hopes to pass the Trapital legacy on to Capital’s future mascot, whatever shape it may take.