Aidan Duffy ’25

Aidan Duffy ’25 has been hiding a secret. While fellow Seahawks were cheering during athletic events from bleachers and stadium seating, Duffy was right in the midst of things, silently riling up the crowd and spreading joy with his infectious energy.   

They did not know that Duffy was the face behind UNCW’s beloved mascot, Sammy C. Hawk.  During his freshman year, Duffy saw numerous performances from the previous Sammy.  

“I was fascinated by his history, school spirit and ability to make people smile and excited without saying a word,” said Duffy, a coastal engineering major and four-time CAA swimming champion.   

In the summer of 2022, Sammy’s Instagram posted a photo seeking a replacement. One of Duffy’s friends sent the post to a group chat and jokingly encouraged him to apply. Duffy’s first appearance as Sammy C. Hawk was during the first-year orientation in August 2022.  It was this event that made Duffy fall in love with being Sammy.  

“I took a selfie with the incoming freshmen on the swim team, who are now my roommates, and they still don’t know that it was me who was in the photo with them,” he said.   

The most rewarding part of being Sammy was “being someone that kids look up to,” he said.  Kids swarm towards Sammy like bees to flowers during events, asking for pictures and autographs, expressing their desire to attend UNCW and be just like Sammy.  

“Everybody knows and loves Sammy because of the legacy that Sammys from the past have illustrated,” he said. “My intention has been to contribute to the happiness that he brings and to the culture of what it means to be Sammy for the future.”  

Keeping Sammy’s identity hidden, while not always easy, was a fun part of the job for Duffy. Duffy had to get creative when leaving the swimming locker room after practice, since the Sammy locker room was nearby.  

“I had so much fun approaching my friends and coaches, and they had no clue it was me,” he said.  

Making appearances at UNCW sporting and community outreach events are not the only ways Duffy made an impact in his community. He was also involved with organizations like the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Student Athlete Advisory Council, all of which require leadership skills Duffy developed in the pool.   

Learn more about Duffy’s experience as a student-athlete and coastal engineering major.