AnthROCon 2026! Roc The Pitt Panther Mascot Costume Cosplay, performed by Kitwana Lion

Silly, huggable animal fursuits and mascot costumes - including a very famous Panther - are no strange sight at Anthrocon! But what would you say if your hometown college sports mascot was to appear at a Furry convention? An idea of what this might look like can be in this video. Introducing my newest addition to my lineup of costumes, it's THE Roc The Panther, mascot of the NCAA-Pittsburgh Panthers - the host city of the world's largest Furry convention, Anthrocon - which attracted 20,618 attendees this year! I couldn't believe my luck when discovering that costume years ago on the website of its original builder, Marylen, who in the meantime has merged with Alinco Costumes of Salt Lake City, UT. Marylen has provided the actual "game-worn" Roc's to the University of Pittsburgh in the early 2000s and I was able to order such a costume, crafted with the original patterns and materials like used back then! Ever since I've started to make regular trips to the U.S., sports mascots have deeply fascinated me by their talent, their traditions, their pride and their wholesomeness as they work games and community events, just to make people smile amid warm, fluffy hugs! Mascots are AMAZING and so is this rare opportunity to perform an actual, authentic NCAA mascot, who performs in front of 68k fans at Acrisure Stadium - or all around Pittsburgh! This video shows me debuting Roc as I was ROCing and panthering around the spaces of Anthrocon - and even beyond! What an honor to be able to perform this costume, just because I can! Video recorded, edited & uploaded by Kitwana Lion with contributing footage by Kijani Lion and Jarlath Hare. Anthrocon 2026, David L. Lawrence Convention Center & The Westin Downtown Pittsburgh Hotel, July 1-5, 2026. NOTICE: This is a fan-performed cosplay of Roc The Panther. Not endorsed nor affiliated by the University of Pittsburgh / Pittsburgh Panthers. For the real Roc The Panther, mascot, please follow him on his Instagram rocthepanther. Lions are social animals! https://bsky.app/profile/kitwanalion....   / kitwanalion     / kitwanalion     / kitwanalion   Telegram: @kitwanalion This video does not contain any product placement nor AI. DISCLAIMER: While this video is family-friendly and safe to watch for everyone, its main target audience are adults. It has therefore been set as "Not for kids" to comply with the COPPA. Should you be unable to leave a comment below, please use my social media outlets listed above. Thank you! Yours Cuddly, Kitwana