BGSU seniors' true identities revealed during annual SICSIC unmasking

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio – For the past three years, Bowling Green State University seniors Jillian Filipiak and Dwayne Lawson have been suiting up in their gray overalls, pulling on their colorful socks and gloves and spreading school spirit across campus and the community as “Granny” and “Black Panther.”

The pair were staples at athletic events, first-day-of-class celebrations, Campus Fest, Homecoming and made appearances at numerous other student-focused events, bringing with them an undeniable BGSU spirit.

Since their sophomore years, Filipiak and Lawson maintained identities that no one outside their secret spirit organization, SICSIC, was privy to until their recent unmasking at the BGSU hockey game against St. Thomas on Feb. 8 at Slater Family Ice Arena.

“It’s hard to put into words what being a part of SICSIC means to me,” said Filipiak, who will graduate in May with a degree in middle childhood education. “This is so uniquely BGSU. We have the honor of being in a position to see the genuine love that exists in this community. Being a small part of the history of SICSIC and building that community has meant everything to me.”

Lawson, from Detroit, shared a similar sentiment, relishing the opportunity to be among the select few chosen to join SICSIC. The secret spirit organization remains one of the oldest active groups at BGSU, ranked the No. 1 public university in Ohio for student experience.

“This was honestly one of the best things I did at BGSU,” said Lawson, an advertising major and a Sidney A. Ribeau President’s Leadership Academy scholar. “At the end of the day, only two of us are chosen from each class. That’s a big deal, and we don’t take for granted the impact we’re making on the Bowling Green community.” 

As members of SICSIC, Filipiak, who hails from Cleveland, and Lawson are part of a storied tradition at BGSU that spans nearly eight decades. SICSIC was formed on Oct. 5, 1946, when then-BGSU president Frank Prout hand-picked six students to create the University’s official spirit crew.

On any given day, six masked members of SICSIC can be seen on campus, handing out candy and proclaiming school spirit through signs in black and red stating "SICSIC SEZ."

Beyond school spirit, SICSIC members learn to adapt and overcome challenges, strengthen their communication and leadership skills and problem-solve, which are incredibly beneficial for their future careers and lives, said Dr. Jacob Clemens, the organization’s advisor.

“Our SICSIC crew has a lot of fun, and they bring so much joy wherever they go,” said Clemens, senior director of the C. Raymond Marvin Center for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement. “But they’re also balancing this responsibility with their academics, other extracurriculars, jobs and through this, they’re learning valuable skills that will translate well into their professional lives.”

SISSIC members’ identities are kept secret until they are unmasked during their senior year, an arduous task that requires a certain amount of stealth and creativity. Lawson said concealing his identity was sometimes a juggling act.

“I had to do some crazy things,” he said. “I would say I had to go home for the weekend, but then I couldn’t be seen because I was supposed to be at home. It felt like I was playing ninja around campus, trying to keep my friends from spotting me.”

The trick for Filipiak was remaining vague about her plans. She said most friends didn’t question her when she claimed homework kept her from attending various events.

“Surprisingly, a lot of people don’t pry,” she said. “They just take you at your word, which was really helpful in this situation.”