On National Mascot Day, Saint Leo University celebrates Class of 2025 graduate Tyler Drone, who spent four years inspiring school spirit as one of the students behind beloved mascot Fritz the Lion.
National Mascot Day, celebrated on June 17, recognizes the characters who symbolize school spirit and the students who bring them to life. Tyler Drone, a member of Saint Leo University’s Class of 2025, was one of those students. For the past four years, he brought courage, heart, and a whole lot of high-fives to the Saint Leo community as the beloved mascot Fritz the Lion.
“Fritz is not only the face of Saint Leo University, but the embodiment of school spirit,” Drone said.
Stepping into the role took courage. Drone auditioned to be the mascot as a freshman, doubting he’d be chosen. But Kimesha Norris, director of Saint Leo’s student spirit groups, saw potential in a student who did not consider himself creative or coordinated.
Drone’s most unforgettable moment as Fritz was actually his first time in the lion suit. “It is hard to sum it up, but just picture being in the middle of your favorite movie or being able to relive one of the best days of your life,” he explained. “Walking out to the crowd and getting a reaction from the crowd was electric. The cheers from the crowd get your heart pumping, the butterflies in your stomach, and the excitement that cannot be contained.”
As Fritz, Drone experienced pep rallies, athletic games, community events, and even a performance during an Orlando Magic halftime show in March 2025. “I never would have thought that I would be able to be left alone on the court in an NBA event, but to be able to perform on the court was miraculous,” he recalled.
To Drone, Fritz represents community and belonging. “Saint Leo is somewhere where students enter as strangers, but leave feeling a part of a family, the Saint Leo pride, or the ‘One Pride,’ as Athletics would call it,” he said.
Outside the costume, Drone was a marketing major, LEAD Scholar, and active in student life. He enjoyed being part of one of campus’s best-kept secrets, especially hearing “the speculation from the crowd and the whispers that go around campus saying, ‘Who do you think Fritz is?’”
Drone’s identity as Fritz was officially revealed at the April Student Affairs, Student Government Union, and Competitive Team Awards ceremony. Then, on graduation day, he closed this chapter of his Saint Leo journey in true mascot fashion as he crossed the stage in cap, gown, paws, and tail.
“All I know is that when I came to Saint Leo, I wanted to make sure that I left a legacy and impact on Saint Leo University that could be felt after I left,” he said.
But Drone’s time at Saint Leo University doesn’t end here. He plans to return to campus this fall to pursue an MBA with a specialization in marketing. He also will serve as a graduate assistant for the spirit teams.
“I love to be able to give back and help those who have helped me to get to where I am today,” he said. “I can think of no way of better service and commitment than training and developing the next Fritz mascot and mascot handlers.”
Drone encourages students interested in becoming Fritz or a mascot handler to contact Kimesha Norris at (352) 588-7269 or kimesha.norris@saintleo.edu.
“So, ask yourself, do you have enthusiasm for Saint Leo school spirit? Or identify yourself as creative? Since you could be the next Fritz, take it from me, it is worth it,” he advised.