Claude Duran, the Man Behind the Mask of Thor Retiring on Sunday

Thor is one of the most recognized mascots in the USL - Photo by Jeremy Olson - www.digitalgopher.net

This Sunday at the National Sports Center, the Minnesota Thunder will play their final game of 2009, but the season is not the only thing that is coming to an end. After the final whistle, the man behind the Thunder’s long-time mascot Thor will hang up his own uniform for the last time. After just over a decade with the Thunder, Claude Duran will be retiring.

Claude’s eleven years as Thor began when he contacted the Thunder to invite the current Thor to the inauguration party for former governor Jesse Ventura. When he was informed that there was no current Thor, Claude offered his services. Later that night the costume was in his possession and a contract was inked soon after.

Moving quickly was something that Claude had to get used to during his first season. The previous Thor was far from beloved by the organization, players, or fans and because of this Claude was given an ultimatum: make Thor loved or the mascot wouldn’t be coming back next season. Luckily Claude was more than up to the task. His first year he made several public appearances and even showed up to his first game in a tuxedo with his costume and presented his mother with flowers and a mother’s day gift. Claude’s efforts were rewarded not only with an invitation to come back the next season by the management, but the fans voted Thor one of the top three things about Thunder games.

Thor - Photo by Jeremy Olson - www.digitalgopher.net

In his eleven seasons with the team Claude has been one of the few consistent things about Thunder games. During coaching changes, field relocations, the revolving door of players and a current slump in the team form Thor has stayed a positive highlight. “You got to love what you’re doing to stick through the bad times,” said Claude.

When asked for some of his favorite moments Claude replied “It’s the little things that don’t seem all that important, but they are.” The goofy antics, posing for pictures with fans, signing autographs, convincing Kansas City police officers to keep Thunder supporters out of jail for the night, have continued to keep Thor at the top of the list of USL team mascots. One specific highlight Claude mentioned was receiving the same championship medal given to the players after the Thunder won the A-league his first year as Thor.

Claude Duran is the man behind the costume who created the persona of Thor. Duran is shown here wearing the uniform of one of his other jobs: an on-call firefighter for the Rogers Fire Department.

It will be a bittersweet feeling for Claude after Sunday’s game. When he leaves the Thor costume, he will be leaving a part of himself, but Claude hopes this will not be the end for him and the Thunder. He hopes to still be involved with the team in some form, but he said, “I really want my weekends back.” As Claude leaves to take some well deserved time off, he wished to say thank you to the Thunder organization, players and all of the fans. “I always felt I was contributing,” said Claude.

Claude’s feeling was echoed by Thunder General Manager Djorn Buchholz who said, “Since the moment I came to the Thunder in 2003, I have witnessed firsthand the dedication and passion that Claude has for this organization.  His commitment is truly second to none.  Although Thor will live on, he will not be the same without Claude and his personality behind the mask.”

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For a detailed 2005 article on Duran and the Mascot Thor, please see Mascotnet’s Mascot Spotlight.

Jeremy Olson has put together a terrific gallery of photos at Digital Gopher.net

A drenched Thor wrote an inside joke in the dirt fill of the NSC to the Dark Cloud supporters after a storm passed through, delaying the start of a game in 2008.