So exactly how much fabric does it take to mask SuperFrog? Almost a full yard.
When the Admissions team wanted to create a social media post with SuperFrog demonstrating do’s and don’ts for correctly wearing a face covering, they knew exactly which crew member to recruit: Theresa Lumpkins, communications coordinator, who measured, sewed and embroidered a custom mask for the SuperFrog statue in the Commons.
“Making that mask for SuperFrog was such a fun project to be asked to do. I love sewing and monogramming, but especially love to teach others this talent,” said Lumpkins, noting she will be eager to resume teaching her Extended Ed sewing classes post-pandemic.
Of course this wasn’t her first masking project. Lumpkins has handmade monogrammed protective face masks for family, friends, co-workers, Dean of Admissions Heath Einstein and even the mini SuperFrog who greets visitors from the Admissions Office front desk.
“The process between making a face mask for people and making a mask for the SuperFrog statue is pretty similar, with the exception of the size. Do you know how huge SuperFrog’s head is? SuperFrog’s mask was humongous,” she said.
“It took a couple of trips to the statue to get measurements and placement on his face. SuperFrog has quite the pointed face.”
Like with her people masks, Lumpkins made her own pattern — albeit ginormous — for SuperFrog, but he didn’t require the extra layer of fabric that serves as a filter.
Lumpkins, who is also the mom of TCU sophomore Emma Lumpkins, hopes SuperFrog and his giant mask will bring smiles to all the masked Horned Frogs walking past him on campus or “liking” him on social media.
“We want students to know that the Office of Admission is supporting the TCU effort in the ‘Everyone is all in’ theme for campus safety — even SuperFrog,” she said. “Hopefully, this will be viewed as something positive and fun in light of this pandemic. If we can add some camaraderie and smiles among the student body on and off campus, then it has been a good day.”