While a fuzzy microfiber suit, red-and-white striped Motion W sweater and 30-pound head are standard issue, it is up to the people inside the costume to make Bucky Badger unique.

In anticipation of the 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2 premiere of the new historical PBS Wisconsin documentary narrated by comedian Charlie Berens — Bucky! — we tracked down former Bucky Cecil Powless to unmask what it takes to become the chaotic and infectious icon of energy that is beloved by the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the entire state.

Powless, a native of Belleville, Wisconsin, donned the Bucky suit from 2022 through 2025. He is currently a student teacher at UW-Madison and plans to graduate in May 2026.

PBS Wisconsin: What memories of Bucky stand out to you from growing up? 

Cecil Powless: My grandpa had football season tickets. There were four tickets that the family had, and I’d get to games pretty consistently. It was me, my older brother, my dad and my grandpa. Anytime I was at a football game when I was 4 or 5 years old, I was just glued to Bucky. I didn’t understand what was going on [on the football field], but I did understand what was going on with Bucky. 

I remember my first ever interaction with Bucky was when I was three years old at a big fundraising event for Wisconsin Athletics in Monroe. There was a point where the band and cheer and dance teams came in, but all I wanted to see was Bucky.

Cecil Powless, age 3, with Bucky Badger at a Wisconsin Athletics fundraising event in Monroe, Wisconsin. [Photo published by The Monroe Times June 23, 2024. Photo courtesy of The Monroe Times.]

Powless: There was UW Spirit Squad Director Josette Jaucian and all of the other judges are previous Buckys. Imagine the most creative, talented, smart and ruthless people judging your performance. I remember that some gave you a long leash. There were other stations you’d walk out of and you would just get ripped apart in the funniest way possible. You wanted to get mad but you couldn’t because you were laughing right along with them. I just remember being ticked off, but also really amused after my tryout.

PBS Wisconsin: What are the top three sought after qualities in a Bucky? 

Powless: I have my own talents. I have my own gifts. I have my own unique things that I bring but still that should all fall under the umbrella of what Bucky would do, especially the components of cocky, borderline arrogant while being very, very mischievous. At the same time, unbelievably flirtatious. Those are all under those three core elements. Everything else funnels and changes by crowd, demographic, age, etc., that you are serving. Bucky is going to be way more mischievous and cutesy just with family.

Cecil Powless as Bucky Badger during Badger Bash at Union South during the 2024 football season.

PBS Wisconsin: How did you get adjusted to being nonverbal and maneuvering in the Bucky suit? 

Powless: When you make the team, you’re not in suit for almost a month. There is no specific handbook or coach for Bucky. That’s something very unique about the team. Josette helps us with so many details and all of the scheduling and booking. When you talk about the traditions of Bucky and the lineage or the heritage of it is so important, it’s because all of those mannerisms, all of the character, all of the stories of who Bucky is are passed down verbally and expressively from generation to generation. It’s an unwritten tradition. That’s why it’s so important.

PBS Wisconsin: Is there one specific moment or memory of being Bucky during a game or an event that sticks out that you’d like to share? 

Powless: In this age of digital entertainment and AI popping up, the ability to tangibly make someone feel seen, known and loved was most apparent to me during a nursing home visit. The UW Marching Band was outside playing polka and everyone was having a great time while dancing. There was a specific moment when the band went inside. The UW Marching Band arrived and Bucky went through the nursing home hallways to those folks who couldn’t get out of their beds. I remember going to the room of one gentleman who so distinctly reminded me of my grandpa who had recently passed away. He was just laughing and clapping as the band came by. Then he saw Bucky and the laughter turned to crying happy tears. Bucky went in to shake his hand and he grabbed my arm and he gave me the biggest hug ever.

PBS Wisconsin: Has the experience of being Bucky changed you as a person? 

Powless: I’m just much more outgoing and way less anxious because of Bucky. I used to be afraid of wanting to connect with people, but not being able to connect with people or not having the confidence to do that.