The outer part of the Keggy costume, created by the Jack-O'-Lantern, was allegedly stolen from its usual storage place Robinson Hall over the Summer term.
Keggy's disappearance means he will almost certainly be absent from this weekend's festivities. Since only one peice of the costume was
"Keggy's disappearance will be the apocalypse," Dylan Kane '09, editor-in-chief of the Jack-O-Lantern, said. "Homecoming is one of the biggest events for Keggy."
Keggy debuted during halftime of the 2003 Homecoming football game. According to an article published in The Dartmouth at the time, his creators, Nic Duquette '04 and Chris Plehal '04, originally intended Keggy to be a one-time prank and expected the mascot to be ejected from the stadium. Instead, Keggy was invited to join the marching band on the field.
At the end of Fall term in 2003, Keggy was stolen from the Sigma Nu fraternity library. That kidnapping was a public prank that was well-intentioned, said Kane. Keggy was then returned in time for the Winter Carnival.
Since the 2003 incident, Keggy has made frequent appearances at sporting games and other events at the College.
Though College has permitted Keggy's presence, Kane said the Dartmouth's administration has made efforts to keep Keggy from participating in Homecoming events.
The marching bandis no longer allowed to refer to Keggy in their halftime ceremony, according to Laura Michet '11, treasurer of Jack-O'-Lantern and member of the marching band. Keggy is also no longer allowed on the field, she said.
According to Kane, Jack-O-Lantern members did not immediately notice Keggy's absence because room 205 had been reassigned for international student orientation, and Keggy was assumed to be in storage elsewhere.
Even after members of the Jack-O-Lantern confirmed that Keggy had not been innocently relocated, they still had trouble convincing students that Keggy had been stolen.
"It was really frustrating the first couple weeks because everyone thought we were joking," Michet said.
Because of the difficulties involved in creating the Keggy costume, Jack-O-Lantern will not have a replacement for this year's Homecoming.
"We're aiming for the end of the term," Kane said.
Members are currently looking for a large soybean oil barrel to serve as the body.
"We wouldn't press charges," Kane said. "We just want him back."
Student reaction to Keggy's disappearance was varied. Some did not feel that the unofficial mascot played a major role in their lives.
"I've never really cared," Alex East '09 said.
Others felt more strongly about Keggy.
"I think it's a real travesty," Alex Cook '09 said. "He will be sorely missed. Because we don't have a real mascot, he's always served a purpose in all of our hearts."
Nick Barber '10 recalled wearing the Keggy costume at one event.
"I had bruises on my arms for, like, two weeks," Barber said.
Some students believed Keggy's other achievements are more memorable.
"I think his greatest moment was the 'Drinking Time' video," Oleg Seletsky '09 said, referring to a video produced by the Jack-O'-Lantern, which featured Keggy and others pulling a prank on a tour group at the College.
Jessica LaBrie '09 regrets that this year's freshmen have not been able to see the notorious character.
"He's a fun Dartmouth tradition," LaBrie said. "It's too bad he hasn't been around for the [freshmen] to meet."
Some freshmen are also disappointed that they have not yet met the school's unofficial mascot.
"Everybody talks about Keggy the Keg," Stephanie Picon '12 said. "It's weird that we haven't been able to see him."
