Spirit Program Appearance Request Form
Sir Henry, The Rutgers University mascot, makes hundreds of appearances each year including athletic, University, non-profit organization, corporate, and private events. The team members are Rutgers University students, whose first priority is academics. Not every request can be filled, and priority is always given to a Rutgers Athletics event. Please note that availability is very limited during the summer months and that some dates could be blocked off due to camp, costume maintenance, etc. Fees go towards paying for maintenance and repairs on the costume, and providing compensation to the students as well as to help raise funds for the program.
APPEARANCE TYPES
Medical Centers and Schools (K-12)
$100 — up to 45 minutes for appearance. Any event held outside of New Brunswick or Piscataway may include a travel fee assessed by our business office. If additional time is requested, rate will be established prior to appearance.
Rutgers University Department Appearances
$100 — up to 45 minutes for appearance; If additional time is requested, rate will be established prior to appearance.
Non-Profit Organization Appearances
$100 — up to 1 hour appearance. Non-game day only.
Any event held outside of New Brunswick or Piscataway may include a travel fee assessed by our business office. If additional time is requested, rate will be established prior to appearance.
Weddings and Special Events (A minimum 50% deposit is required via credit card once Sir Henry has been confirmed)
$500 — up to 45 minute appearance. Non-game day only.
Event can start no later than 9:30 PM. Any event held outside of New Brunswick or Piscataway may include a travel fee assessed by our business office.
Corporate Appearances
$500 — up to 1 hour appearance. Non-game day only.
Any event held outside of New Brunswick or Piscataway may include a travel fee assessed by our business office.If additional time is requested,rate will be established prior to appearance.
GUIDELINES FOR SPIRIT SQUAD APPEARANCES
APPEARANCE TYPES
Medical Centers and Schools (K-12)
$100 — up to 45 minutes for appearance. Any event held outside of New Brunswick or Piscataway may include a travel fee assessed by our business office. If additional time is requested, rate will be established prior to appearance.
Rutgers University Department Appearances
$100 — up to 45 minutes for appearance; If additional time is requested, rate will be established prior to appearance.
Non-Profit Organization Appearances
$100 — up to 1 hour appearance. Non-game day only.
Any event held outside of New Brunswick or Piscataway may include a travel fee assessed by our business office. If additional time is requested, rate will be established prior to appearance.
Weddings and Special Events (A minimum 50% deposit is required via credit card once Sir Henry has been confirmed)
$500 — up to 45 minute appearance. Non-game day only.
Event can start no later than 9:30 PM. Any event held outside of New Brunswick or Piscataway may include a travel fee assessed by our business office.
Corporate Appearances
$500 — up to 1 hour appearance. Non-game day only.
Any event held outside of New Brunswick or Piscataway may include a travel fee assessed by our business office.If additional time is requested,rate will be established prior to appearance.
GUIDELINES FOR SPIRIT SQUAD APPEARANCES
- Requests must be received at least one month prior to the event date.
- A private and secure room (no public changing rooms) is required for Henry the Scarlet Knight to change and secure their bag(s) during an appearance. As needed, a handler may accompany Sir Henry on select appearances.
- Water MUST be provided.
- Costumes/uniforms will not be loaned or rented.
- Parking should be provided near the event.
- Contact person(s) must be available by phone up to 30 minutes prior to event. We rely on this person to find dressing rooms and review event details.
- Please see above for appearance fee structures. Weddings and private special events require a 50% deposit in advance once confirmed. Payment can be made in full in advance via check or credit card link provided by Athletics. All other appearances will be billed after the appearance takes place and can be paid via check, credit card, or if a Rutgers University department, through a Journal Entry.
- Appearance fees support the Spirit Program and are consistent with our peer institutions in the Big Ten Conference.
- Personal and corporate checks will be accepted. Checks should be made payable to: "Rutgers University Cheerleading." Please mail payment to: Sue Beurskens, Rutgers University Spirit Program, Gary & Barbara Rodkin Academic Success Center, 201 Fitch Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854.
- Any event held outside of New Brunswick or Piscataway may incur a travel fee assessed by our business office.
- There is no refund for cancellations with less than 48 hours notice.
- When making a request, please be very clear about your expectations of the role of Henry the Scarlet Knight at your event.
- Event hosts are responsible for a safe environment. Guests of all ages are expected to be supportive and respectful. Our students are instructed to leave immediately if guests become rowdy or inappropriate, and no refund will be provided.
- If alcohol is being served while our team members are at your event, team members must be stationed away from the area where it is being served.
- Football (home/away), men's basketball, and women's basketball game days take priority over all requests. No appearance can coincide with a game or pre-game activities.
- Appearances during University reading days and final exam periods are limited and based on student availability.
- Event planners may publicize Sir Henry’s appearance at their event. However, Henry the Scarlet Knight's image or images of Spirit Squad members may not be used on promotional materials unless the event is related to the University. Internal use of Henry the Scarlet Knight's image must be cleared with the Office of Trademark Licensing.
- Photography — Photographers at the event will understand that Rutgers University has registered trademarks on official logos of the University. These include: Henry the Scarlet Knight, the block "R," the Knight Head, and others. As such, photographers can take candid hosts, group shots, and shots with individuals. They may not sell, reproduce, or use for promotion of any sort a photograph of Henry the Scarlet Knight, a cheerleader, or a dance team member. Also, registered trademarks of Rutgers University cannot be used for sale, reproduction, or promotional use. Any misuse of photographs or sale of images alone may be a violation of the Rutgers University licensing of logos. For more information on using the Rutgers University logos for sale or promotion, please contact the Office of Trademark Licensing.
- The appearance of any Rutgers cheerleader, dance team member, or Henry the Scarlet Knight does not constitute promotion of any product, service, and/or person by the Rutgers Spirit Program, Rutgers University Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, and/or Rutgers University.
- The Spirit Program reserves the right to cancel appearances due to severe and inclement weather, illness, personal emergencies, etc.
- Completion and submission of the Appearance Request Form constitutes an agreement to the Guidelines listed above, even if submitted electronically without a signature.
