The Calgary Roughnecks are responding after a Saskatchewan Rush super fan, who dresses up as the Incredible Hulk, said he’s been banned from this weekend’s game.
Kelvin Ooms, who comes to Rush games as Rush Hulk, had organized four busloads of fans from Saskatchewan and started getting ready for the road trip to Calgary when he got a message on social media from a Roughnecks supporter saying he might not be allowed into the building.
Roughnecks vice-president Mike Moore has responded saying, “Simply, our policy is not to allow visiting team mascots in our building.”
Moore said Ooms can wear his costume if he sits in his seat like a regular fan, and doesn’t act like a mascot during the game.
WATCH BELOW: Hulk-dressing Saskatchewan Rush fan faces roadblocks in Calgary game
“I wasn’t quite sure if he was pulling my leg and trying to create more of a fan rivalry,” Ooms told The Canadian Press Tuesday.
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Ooms said he was told he couldn’t attend the game as Rush Hulk due to safety and security concerns.
The self-described superfan said he’s worn a Hulk costume to games in Saskatchewan and to one in Calgary last April without incident.
“When I was there last year, we had a blast,” Ooms said.
Saturday’s game is also a “Star Wars” theme night, so other fans attending the lacrosse game are being encouraged to wear costumes.
“They are a great bunch of fans, but maybe they should be more worried about some of their fans that are going to be in costume dressed up as Chewbacca, Darth Vader, wearing capes,” Ooms said. “It doesn’t make sense.”
WATCH BELOW: Rush Hulk on being banned from Calgary Roughnecks game
Officials with the Saskatchewan Rush said in a statement that they respect the move by the Roughnecks organization.
“It’s an unfortunate decision, based on how much work Kelvin has put into organizing the trip,” Rush owner Bruce Urban said.
“I can’t emphasize enough, how awesome of an ambassador he is for our team and fanbase.
“Ultimately, this is an opposing team’s building and they have their own set of rules.”
Urban added that they’ve never turned fans away from Rush home games “regardless of who they cheer for and how they dress.”
-with files from Lauren Pullen
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