Tom Burgoyne has been performing as the Phillie Phanatic for over thirty years. A St. Josephās Prep and Drexel University graduate, Tom first donned the Phanatic costume in 1989 after answering an anonymous want-ad in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Tom, a certifiable sports nut, won over a panel of judges with his audition in the Phanatic costume and his collection of newspaper clippings of him on top of statues during Phillies and 76ers victory parades.
Working as a backup to David Raymond (the first Phanatic performer) for five years, Tom handled many of the Phanaticās promotional appearances until the 1994 season when he took over all game day duties. Since then, Tom has travelled across the country and around the world bringing the Phanaticās special brand of humor to sports fans everywhere. His international travels have taken him to Japan, Europe, Australia, South America, Mexico and the Phanaticās homeland ā the Galapagos Islands.
Tomās new book, Pheel the Love ā How the Most Powerful Force in the Universe Builds Great Companies, shows how leaders can use Phanatic-style loving principles to generate customer and employee loyalty. Tom has co-authored two other books about Phillies baseball - More Than Beards, Bellies and Biceps - The Story of the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies (and the Phillie Phanatic, Too) and Movin' On Up. He also has written seventeen childrenās books, chronicling the adventures of the Phillie Phanatic and started a reading and literacy program in the Philadelphia area called āBe A Phanatic About Readingā. In addition, Tom has written and directed four childrenās videos, Channel Surfinā Phanatic, The Phillie Phanatic Goes Hollywood, Time Travelinā Phanatic and The Phillie Phanaticās One-Man Band.
The Phillie Phanatic has been widely acclaimed over the years as one of sports best mascots. Forbes Magazine and other media outlets have repeatedly named the Phanatic the best mascot in the country. In 2002, the Phillie Phanatic was āenshrinedā in baseballās Hall of Fame and is currently part of a permanent exhibit in Cooperstown.
Tom has been a familiar face on the local and national interviewing circuit, appearing frequently on TV and radio programs as the āBest Friend of the Phanaticā. He has been a successful speaker in the Delaware Valley, entertaining audiences with stories about his āfriendā the Phanatic, and motivating and encouraging his audiences to PHEEL THE LOVE and reach for the stars.