Krauser leaves Pitt to don a little, green suit, hat

Carl Krauser made it official yesterday that he is transferring from Pitt after his… Carl Krauser made it official yesterday that he is transferring from Pitt after his sophomore year to go to Notre Dame — as a mascot.

Krauser has accepted the job of official leprechaun at the University of Notre Dame. On Feb. 7, the Fighting Irish announced live at the Pitt/Notre Dame game that the old leprechaun would be retiring, come season’s end.

Krauser was approached after the game about becoming the mascot. Without thinking twice, he accepted the job.

“I like the color green,” Krauser said. “Growing up in the Bronx, people always talked about the green stuff, so when my chance came to put on a green uniform I jumped at the chance.”

The Irish held a press conference this morning to officially announce Krauser as their mascot. While most mascot roles and cheers will stay the same next year in South Bend, there will be some new cheers Krauser intends to implement in his first year as mascot.

“Instead of doing the leprechaun march like Notre Dame has done for the past century, the Irish fans will now put an ‘X’ sign up every time the opposing players are introduced,” Krauser said. “This will make it extremely intimidating for opposing teams to play in the Joyce Center.”

This wasn’t the only new cheer Krauser talked about this morning. Instead of the normal two hands in the air for a three-point attempt, now fans will make a big “X” with their arms after a three-pointer. And a free throw. And a steal. And a turnover. And a timeout. And a bad call.

Even Notre Dame’s football helmets will have a logo on them for the first time ever. You guessed it, an “X”.

Krauser is looking forward to the first time Pitt visits Notre Dame, which will be in football in the fall. Pitt’s football squad hasn’t won in South Bend, Ind., in years, and although Pitt is still close to Krauser’s heart, and he doesn’t expect that to change this fall.

“We will win this fall,” Krauser said. “Come on; it’s football. We all know Pitt football has no chance against Notre Dame.”