'Be a people person': This Canton soccer coach lived his dog days as a World Cup mascot

When it comes to mascots, Striker the dog may not have had the pop-culture staying power of, say, the San Diego Chicken, the Phillie Phanatic or even Wally the Green Monster.

But as Jeff Riklin could tell you, there was a time (back in the summer of 1994) when the dog dubbed the "World Cup Pup" was a big deal.

And Riklin should know because he was one of the lucky few (fewer than originally planned, it turned out) who got to don the costume and bring Striker to life for the FIFA men's World Cup soccer matches at old Foxboro Stadium.

Yes, he sweated profusely and could barely see where he was going. But it was still a blast.

"There were lots of highlights," he said. "One of them was just walking around the concourse. People would recognize you and rush up. There were no selfies in those days, but the handler (who walked with the mascot) would take photos (for them). People were so excited."

These days, Riklin, 74, is preparing for his first season coaching soccer at Canton High. The Newton resident, who coached JV boys lacrosse at Canton in the spring, is joining Danny Erickson's boys soccer staff as JV coach and varsity assistant in charge of goalkeepers. Riklin has soccer in his blood (he played goalie for a semi-pro team in Mexico in the early 1970s) and acting in his DNA, so bouncing around in a dog costume at the world's biggest soccer tournament seemed right up his alley.

"It was pretty funny," he recalled. "It was '94 and I walked into the (World Cup volunteer office in downtown Boston) one day and I said, 'I hear you're looking for a mascot.' They said, 'Well, you can't be more than 5-8.' I said, 'I'm 5-8.' One thing led to another and I became the mascot. It became a hoot.

"The uniform in those days was this heavy wool outfit. It was summer, so we were only allowed to be in it one hour at a time because it was so bloody hot. We all wore a T-shirt and a pair of shorts and sneakers and that was it. And you had to bring a change of clothes because you were just soaked straight through (at the end of your shift). There were some other people who were supposed to be the mascot who didn't show up. So I ended up doing a whole bunch more shifts than they had estimated. I'd take an hour (off), hose down, change my clothes and go back out.

"The only rule was you're not allowed to talk. We had handlers who would drag us up and down the bleachers. You had this very small window that you could out of, looking through the snout (of the costume) to see where you were going."

Riklin worked six games at Foxboro Stadium, including Italy's 2-1 win over Spain in the quarterfinals. He said he got to see plenty of soccer, although none of it while in costume. "(Trying to see) through the snout, I was just happy not to trip and fall," he said with a laugh. "But, yeah, I saw a whole bunch of games (out of costume)."

Riklin's memories are being jogged now because the World Cup is coming back to this area next summer with Foxboro's Gillette Stadium the site of seven games as the U.S., Canada and Mexico combine to host the tournament. The FIFA World Cup Boston organizers again are seeking volunteers, who can sign up at https://bostonfwc26.com/volunteer/

"Primarily, they're looking for helping hands and friendly faces who can be both at the stadium and the celebrations that are going to be happening around the region -- the fan festival, watch parties," said Julie Duffy, the chief marketing/communications officer for FIFA World Cup Boston. "We want to make sure people know where to go and have the right information."

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and need only to be fluent in English, although speaking other languages as well would be an obvious plus. There's an interview process and a background check. Applications are being accepted through the middle of September, and training for volunteers will start in 2026.

Can you take a page out of Riklin's book and request to be a mascot?

"I don't think you can ask for a specific role," Duffy said with a laugh. "I think you fill in some of your interests and your qualifications and they match you with what's needed. (Riklin) had a pretty cool role, though. I have not met him, but I was introduced to his story by Brian Bilello, who's the president of the New England Revolution. (Bilello) sits on the board of World Cup Boston. He met (Riklin) at an event and he had to share that story. I said, 'We have to do something with this. This is so cool.'"

Riklin has applied to be a volunteer at the 2026 World Cup. And, yes, he's already suggested he could reprise his costume-wearing gig. FIFA has not announced the mascot for next year's tournament, although one rumor has it that the mascot might try to incorporate elements from all three host countries -- a moose for Canada, a cactus for Mexico and Uncle Sam for the U.S.

Cactus Moose Man sounds terrifying on paper, but Riklin probably could make it work.

His advice for whoever gets the job?

"You have to be a people person," he said. "You have to like people. You have to be warm and embracing and put yourself out there. You have to convey the joy of this great event and show how happy we are to be here. (In 1994) Boston was so lucky to show the world what kind of a great place we are. And to do it again in another year, it's a great opportunity for us."

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Canton soccer coach was 1994 FIFA World Cup mascot Striker the dog