You could say he’s a kid at heart, but it’s really more about his heart being in the right place. And for the last couple of years, Tyler Toborg’s heart has been at UNC Greensboro, where he’s given as much as he got as the personality behind our beloved mascot, Spiro.
Finding His Way Here
Born and raised in Clemmons, NC, Toborg graduated from high school in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, but he wasn’t quite ready to go away for college. He had been working at Chick-fil-A for years, getting experience in customer service and marketing, in addition to serving as the cow mascot.
“It began when I was 15 and took my first job wearing the cow costume at events for $10/hour,” he explains. “As the years went on, I worked in the kitchen, as a delivery driver, as a trainer, and as a team leader. I did pretty much everything at Chick-fil-A. And when they needed a cow, I did that too.”
He decided to keep his position there while he obtained an associate’s degree at Forsyth Technical College and pondered career aspirations. Settling on a business route, Toborg applied to UNCG with his sights set on the Bryan School of Business and Economics.
Breaking Through the Suit
Marketing was his academic ambition, but since he had enjoyed mascot gigs at Chick-fil-A, as a mustang in middle school, and a titan in high school, he found his way to UNCG athletics to offer up his skills.
“I remember onboarding with other transfers in January of 2023 and asking about how I could become the mascot,” Toborg remembers. “Turns out, athletics was looking for someone. I did a quick interview with James Nance, a suit fitting, and the rest is history.”
Toborg was a natural at hyping up crowds at UNCG games and student events. In a matter of months, he was traveling with the spirit squads to the SoCon tournament. This year, he traveled all the way to Los Angeles when the women’s basketball team made it to the NCAA tournament.
Director of Marketing and Game Operations James Nance will be forever grateful that Toborg reached out to him. “What makes Tyler an exceptional Spiro is his unwavering dedication to revitalizing the mascot’s presence,” Nance says. “He took ownership of Spiro, was incredibly reliable, and, most importantly, brought a sense of joy and fun to the role. His hard work has elevated Spiro’s brand to new heights and inspired the growth of our mascot program in ways we had never experienced before.”
“It’s funny. Sports never interested me as a kid, but the idea of being on a team and involved in something bigger than myself was always fun, and that’s why I wanted to be a mascot”. – Tyler Toborg
As Toborg studied brand marketing in his classes, he realized that personifying the UNCG brand is what made him a different person inside the suit. “As soon as the helmet goes on, I snap into character,” he says. “I walk with a different stride and go up to folks I wouldn’t necessarily approach without it. When I’m in the suit, I feel like I can do almost anything because I’m bigger than just Tyler.”
Driving for a Dream Job
The ability to channel his inner Spiro came in handy as Toborg’s business school advisors impressed upon him the value of networking. He would need this skill to chase an ambitious dream: to work for the Hot Wheels brand.
A car enthusiast and Hot Wheels collector since he was a child, Toborg’s passion takes him to conventions and showcases. He customizes Hot Wheels cars and is involved in social media groups for collectors who meet up at conventions.
Dr. Sara MacSween, his advisor and marketing professor, encouraged Toborg to develop his communication skills and the ability to influence others: “These skills will support his dream of working for Hot Wheels by allowing him to sell himself to the company and collaborate effectively in a team.”
His childhood dream was evolving into an achievable reality as Toborg prepared himself academically for the business world and made connections with his dream employer. Chance encounters with Hot Wheels’ employees and major collectors have opened doors to solid leads in the industry.
“When I see someone at a convention that I recognize, I immediately walk up to them, let them know I want to work for Hot Wheels, and ask them questions about their job,” Toborg says confidently. “One thing that the Bryan School has taught me is to just go for it, because business professionals are usually willing to talk to you. They are just people who were once in your shoes and genuinely want to help you.”
He introduced himself to a marketing executive for Mattel at a 2023 convention in Atlanta. And during a Los Angeles convention last year, Toborg met Bryan Benedict, the head of design at Hot Wheels. He was invited to go to church with him on Sunday after the convention, and afterward, they toured a private collection of cars owned by a friend of Benedict’s.
“There I was in Orange County touring this man’s multi-million-dollar, full-size car collection,” Toborg explains. “Just me, my friend, the head of design for Hot Wheels, and two international Hot Wheels’ employees. All great connections, right there!”
Meeting executives makes Toborg realistic about the path to his dream: “I definitely need more years of experience in marketing and should consider going back for my MBA to be hired by an international company like Mattel. But right now, I’m going to keep building these relationships and working the contacts with Hot Wheels while I look for a marketing position here in North Carolina.”
A Warrior Emerges
As Toborg wraps his last semester at UNCG and his final assignments as Spiro, he’s grateful for the confidence he’s built here and all the ways the Bryan School has equipped him to chase a goal he’s had since he was a child playing with cars. When he walks across the stage at commencement, he’ll carry the larger-than-life experiences as Spiro that helped to mold the man he is today.
“UNCG is a school where everybody is welcome,” he says. “When I’m Spiro, I’m not just hyping up my team, I’m hyping up the people I meet to be the best versions of themselves. That’s what UNCG means to me.”
Story by Becky Deakins, University Communications.
Photos by Sean Norona and video by David Lee Row, University Communications.
CELEBRATE OUR GRADS!
Graduates and their families are encouraged to share their accomplishments on social media by tagging the University accounts and using the hashtag #UNCGGrad. Visit UNCG’s digital swag page for Commencement-themed graphics and templates.
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