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This is what J. Cole did in Fayetteville, NC, before he became famous

Chick Jacobs
| The Fayetteville Observer

Editor's Note: This story, originally published in the Fayetteville Observer on August 16, 2001, was written as part of the Observer's summer series “On the Job.” In this episode, Round-A-Bout Skating Center employee and now Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist Jermaine Cole talks about his experience as Roller Roo's mascot. Cole was 16 when this story was published.

If you're Fayetteville's party animal, you have to expect a few little problems.

As if you couldn't see your feet or if your children were pulling your hair out – or as if you knew that your world could collapse at any moment with a dull bang on the parquet floor.

But if that happens, at least there's plenty of high-quality cotton and Styrofoam to cushion the fall.

Roller Roo has a place in the hearts of children under 12. He (and yes, Roller Roo is a man) also has a permanent place in the spare restroom at the Round-A-Bout Skating Center in the Eutaw Shopping Center.

He spends most of his time hanging out there with Party Panda and a worn-out turtle that looks suspiciously like a ninja turtle that has seen better days.

For those new to roller skating, Roller Roo is the official mascot of the Roller Skating Association. He's over six feet tall and made of Styrofoam, fabric, and flannel. And this time of year, Roller Roo is hot – really hot. Just ask the people who keep him rolling.

“You've never been hot until you've been to four birthday parties in the summer where you've danced, skated and sweated here,” said Jermaine Cole. Tall and slim, Cole works at Round-A-Bout and is in perfect physical shape to be a Roller Roo.

“It's a cool thing if you like kids, but it can get pretty hot,” added Chad Pulliam, another occasional Roller Roo. “Obviously, if you don't like kids, you're in the wrong business.”

Roo's job is twofold. On weekends, he helps beginners learn the basics of figure skating – how to start, how to keep their balance and what to do if they're about to fall.

His main job, however, is playing with kids. He's a mix of sidekick, gentle giant and punching bag. He offers a hand and a hug to kids who have slipped and can help young skaters overcome their shyness. When Roo is on the ground, he towers over the young skaters, Shaquille O'Neal at a jockey meet.

“Roo is a great guy with the kids,” Pulliam said. “They all want to come up to him and hug him. You have to be careful when they start to get close to him. Then it's hard to see.”

That's because Roo can only see through his mouth, a black-painted wire mesh. As far as peripheral vision goes, Roo might as well be Mr. Magoo. He's constantly spinning, backing up, and spinning around on the smooth wood – not just to show off, but also to make sure no little skaters get in his way.

“When the lights are dim and the disco ball is flashing, it can be tough,” Cole added.

Surprisingly, there is no special training for Roo wannabes. You need to be able to skate and have a good sense of humor. It helps if you can stand kids pulling your tail. But mostly you need to be able to keep your balance while rolling around on smooth wood with a giant piece of plastic padding on your head.

Cole has been a Roo for over a year, Pulliam a little longer. The transformation often depends on work hours. This weekend it's Cole's turn.

He trots to the back of the skate center, takes out a key, and unlocks the latch that keeps Roo away from his public presence.

Roo lives in a bathroom, huddled in the corner with two friends. One, Party Panda, is a worn-out ball of fur. The other, Franklin the Turtle, looks a lot like Donatello the Ninja Turtle.

Both come out when someone makes a special request. But now it's Roo's moment to shine.

Pulliam comes over to help with the transformation as Cole lays out Roo's lavish costume. It's made of thick yellow fabric and faux fur, perfect for snowmobiling. It's not the kind of clothing you'd wear in Fayetteville in the middle of August.

A series of zippers helps to keep Cole snug, but care must be taken where the costume pieces meet. “If we don't put the costume on properly, old Roo will look like a pair of waders,” Cole said, laughing.

The head is the last thing to go. It's light, but there's no airflow. “It gets very hot very quickly,” Pulliam said.

Roo is showing some signs of age. On his head, which was once adorned with plastic straw hair, only three wispy strands remain. Overzealous children have plucked the rest. His T-shirt, to put it generously, needs a thorough cleaning.

But he's still a crowd favorite. And a few minutes later, when the first skaters are led to the edge of the rink, Jermaine Cole is nowhere to be seen.

But Roo is ready to go.

During Roo's five years at Fayetteville's two Round-A-Bout rinks, several people have worn the bright yellow molded head and plaid red flannel shirt (size 2XL, extra long). While it's flexible enough for multiple sizes, Cole and Pulliam are probably the extremes on both ends.

Roo doesn't speak, but he can hear small children calling out to him. For a few songs, he circles the rink, exchanging low fives and hugs with the children.

“Sometimes Roo will chase after some of the 12-year-olds to hug them. These are kids who don't think it's cool to be seen with Roo,” he said.

About 10 minutes later, Roo sneaks back into his room. Cole quickly locks the door behind him.

“Sometimes kids try to open the door after Roo comes in,” he said. “You don't want to break the illusion.”

A few zips and a little tugging and Cole is ready to help the kids adjust their rental skates again. Roo has to make do with his mates in the back room again.

“I don't know if I would put that on my resume,” Pulliam said. “But it's pretty cool to be a Roller Roo.”

Except when it's hot.

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