Behind The Mask: How Everyday Heroics Help Campus Stay Spectacular

Author's note: To preserve Spider-Man’s secret identity, no names are being used in this article.

Our Spider-Man’s story started off simple. As a freshman, he was touring campus during the Taste of Bradley in his Spidey suit when a BUPD police officer stopped him and asked for a photo. After posing for the photo, he started to take off his mask and the officer stopped him. “You gotta keep that secret, buddy,” the police officer told him. 

Usually, police officers are chasing after Spider-Man, not encouraging him—so this came as a surprise. What came as an even bigger surprise was his new roommate revealing his own Spidey-suit—and further revealing his sister, also a student, had one, too. This was the beginning of the Bradley Spideys. 

“And the rest is history,” said Spider-Man.

With Great Power…

The Bradley Spideys have been around for four years, protecting BU students day and night. The mask is a heavy burden to carry, but one that is definitely worth it.

“Being Spider-Man has been the absolute highlight of my life,” he said. “Knowing that we get to be that character for people, warms my soul.”

Our Spider-Man’s passion for costuming, cosplay and connection has not only lit up Bradley University’s campus but has expanded beyond it. In addition to working with BUPD to promote safety on campus, he also visits kids at the Peoria Children’s Hospital, participates in the Morton Pumpkin Festival parade, and has even served as a special guest for the L.E. Norton Tournament, a yearly event hosted by our speech team where hundreds of students compete.

It can be a heavy burden at times, but Spidey admits that he keeps doing it because the character brings joy to a lot of people.  “He’s everyone’s hero,” he said.

…Comes Great Responsibility

You never know when someone needs a hero. Not even Spider-Man. He recalls a time when he was on campus offering free hugs during finals week—a stressful time for everyone—when a student approached him and asked for a hug. The student burst into tears in his arms.

“Whatever it is you are going through, you can do this. I don’t know you, but I know that you are strong,” Spider-Man recalls telling the student.

Spider-Man is a symbol of perseverance, strength, charisma, and optimism. When you see him suited up and walking around campus, you’re guaranteed a smile, one way or another. No event is complete without our trusted hero to watch over us.

“We’re wacky people and we acknowledge our silliness,” said Spider-Man. “I feel like the reason people always come back to Spider-Man is because we can see ourselves in him.

“I am a very human person under this mask. What keeps me going is what Spider-Man has also done for me. Spider-Man made me want to keep pushing and not quit on something I was very passionate about.”

It became a symbol of hope for our hero, helping him overcome low self-esteem. The mask allows him to be a more self-assured, confident, and extroverted version of himself. 

I experienced the wonderful Spidey-effect in person. When taking a photo of him next to Bradley University’s sign at the campus entrance, a truck driver stopped his vehicle just to take a photo of him and wave. The magic of superheroes has no age limit. Talking to Spider-Man, even just for half an hour, lit up my day. His presence alone is enough to make any worry, big or small, melt away.

If Spider-Man believes in me, I should believe in me, too.

Sadly, this semester is our Spider-Man’s last one here at Bradley. Dedicating four long years to protecting Peoria and studying theater, Bradley University will be saying goodbye to Spider-Man this May. But he’s looking for someone to pick up the mask.

Do you think you have what it takes?

If you’re interested in picking up the mantle, message our beloved Spider-Man on Instagram @bradley_spideys. The world will always need heroes like you.

—Hermes Falcon, senior journalism and sociology major