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Former Chauncey still in the game

In October 2012, Matt Shuttleworth put on the Chauncey mascot costume for CCU and practically never took it off over the next four years.

“I discovered a real passion for it. It never got old,” said Shuttleworth, a 2016 CCU graduate from Burlington, K.Y., who majored in marine science.

The college hobby started for Shuttleworth during his freshman year at CCU as something fun to do. It quickly turned into a passion and the “most rewarding and down-right fun thing” of his college career.

“I will forever be proud to not just be a Chanticleer but also THE Chanticleer,” he said.

Shuttleworth was so dedicated to his role that he wore the feet, tail and hand pieces of the costume underneath his cap and gown at his commencement ceremony at the HTC Center, CHANT411 Director April Betsch reminisced.

Betsch and Shuttleworth have a personal history of costumes and disguises. Betsch’s husband, CCU Resident Success Director David Betsch, wore a mask of his own to scare Shuttleworth on Halloween one year.

“I nearly had a heart attack,” said Shuttleworth. “He really got me good.”

The secret identity hidden by feathers connected Shuttleworth with many other members of the CCU family.

“I became more and more proud to be part of CCU Athletics and Coastal Carolina,” he said.

After graduation, Shuttleworth never thought he would be involved in another football game. But six months ago, he was hired by the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers to be a part of their community outreach and game-day entertainment team.

The NFL gig came about as a result of the devastation of Hurricane Irma in September 2017. The storm destroyed Shuttleworth’s apartment and office in the Florida Keys where he was working as a marine science instructor. While searching online, he found the job posting for a game-day entertainment position with Tampa Bay.

By December, he was feeling the energy of the stadium once again for the New Year’s Eve game against the New Orleans Saints.

“Game day is an overwhelming adrenaline rush,” said Shuttleworth.

Before the game begins, Shuttleworth moves through the tailgates and kid zones to provide guest experience. This closely resembles his time as Chauncey when he would parade down Chanticleer Drive on his mini motorcycle.

“I really miss that motorcycle,” said Shuttleworth. “I could go wherever I wanted on that thing.”

While he will always be proud of his time at Coastal, Shuttleworth is excited to work with the Buccaneers.

“I hope to develop the same passion and pride for the Buccaneers as I did for Coastal Carolina,” said Shuttleworth. “But I think nothing will be more rewarding than suiting up as the bird for a CCU game.”

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