The Seton Hall Flagman is more than just a figurehead: he symbolizes school spirit and is a vital part of the university's basketball tradition.
The history of Seton Hall’s Flagman dates back to the early 1990s when the tradition first took root. Inspired by other college programs’ traditions, Seton Hall introduced the role and the flag to enhance the game day experience.
The tradition of the flagman has been a part of Seton Hall basketball history for over 30 years. Since the early 90s, the flagman was present through the NCAA tourney and memorable games, including wins against conference rivals, in-state rivals, and NIT tournaments.
The evolution of the flag design also began around the same time. In the early years, the design was just the initials, SHU, through the Pirate logo, according to Alan Delozier, a Seton Hall athletics archivist. Currently, the flag is the largest it has ever been, featuring a simple blue design with the pirate logo prominently centered and covering most of the flag.
The high-energy role, characterized by its demanding physicality, has evolved over the years. Still, its core purpose remains the same: to bring energy to the crowd and inspire the Pirates to victory.
“From a continuity standpoint, the Flagman has always been a student who possesses great strength, endurance, and devotion to the Pirates,” Delozier said.
Joseph Mosco, the current flagman, is a testament to the power of the tradition of the Flagman. The South Jersey native and healthcare administration major has been captivating the energy of the crowd on the court for three years now.
Flags have always been a part of his life, and with flags all over his dorm room, they have now become a part of his college career as he lifts the Pirate flag and runs around the basketball court.
Running around the court with a 25-foot pole isn’t easy, but Mosco’s dedication to the role demonstrates a commitment to representing Seton Hall with pride. Mosco said he feels a sense of responsibility to uphold the tradition of the Flagman, considering its impact on Seton Hall.
“I didn't really know how big of a tradition it was until I started, and then once I saw people's reactions, I [realized] they take this seriously,” Mosco said.
Flagman wasn’t always a one-person job: at first, it was a group effort. Cheerleaders used to run the flag together in groups or pass it from one cheerleader to another due to the weight of the flag.
Beyond waving the Pirate flag, Mosco is known for his energy and ability to connect with the crowd. He made his debut by changing the tradition of the flagman, opting to go solo rather than acting as a cheerleader, and by doing his own unique celebrations to engage fans.
“I was more recognized than other flagmen because I’m not [in the] cheer team. I'm not dressed in the same uniform as them,” he said. “My celebrations are [different] like I just do like funny stuff, and the fans like it.”
Mosco explained that his role as a flagman has influenced both his studies and personal life. During the season, after attending some evening classes, he often drives to the games in hopes of arriving by the second half. Most of his professors are understanding of his schedule and recognize him as the Flagman. He also mentioned that there have been times when he was on his way to class, and fellow students would recognize him and greet him warmly.
Additionally, Mosco researched the history of Seton Hall basketball. Through this exploration, he said he found enjoyment in reflecting on the days before the COVID-19 pandemic and the time when Coach Shaheen Holloway was a player. He also said he loves being the Flagman because it has connected him more to Seton Hall basketball, and he feels that he’ll be watching the Pirates for the rest of his life, which makes him have more school pride than some of his friends.
Seeing the tradition of the Flagman is reserved for fans in attendance and creates a memorable event for many. The routine of running the flag until it drops has always fit the program, with each Flagman trying to set a record, which Mosco wants to break.
“I [want] to do better than my predecessors,” he said. “The record is 21 for the short form, I’m at 19 so that’s my only goal.”
During the season, he strives to continue running the flag lap after lap, but during the Big East season, he said he wants to “lock in” and surpass his goal.
Despite how the season is going, Seton Hall basketball fans share their admiration for the Flagman. Fans like Tyana Riles, a senior political science major, have experienced the excitement of basketball games firsthand. She mentioned she particularly enjoyed Flagman’s performance during halftime.
"I feel like the crowd always, I don't know if they look forward to seeing him, but when he does come out, the crowd [is] always, rooting him on," she said.
Riles said she believes the Flagman's energy and dedication contribute significantly to the overall game experience, especially during moments when the team's momentum might be waning. She also appreciates the Flagman's improvement over time, noting his increased strength and confidence.
"He's found his momentum. He knows what he's doing. He's going out there, [and] he's like, all right, let's do it," Riles said.
The Pirate tradition of the role has evolved. It used to be part of the cheerleading group, but now it's a separate role. The Flagman, according to Delozier and Riles, needs to be strong and energetic to keep the crowd excited. They can make a big difference in the game by cheering on the team and getting the crowd involved.
"Even if we're losing, he's bringing the energy back," Riles said.
Riles added that her experience watching the Flagman and his persistence in running the laps is what she loves because even when it looks like he’s about to go down, he perseveres.
The Flagman’s impact and fans extend beyond the basketball court. His family has been incredibly supportive of his role, with his mother being a particularly enthusiastic fan.
"My mom really loves it," Mosco said. "She has come up a few times, and my grandparents love it."
The support has undoubtedly fueled his passion and dedication to the position. The Flagman shared that his dad thinks his role is hilarious and that he often talks about it with his friends. He also said that his little cousin has his Flagman jersey, which Mosco thinks is really special.
Beyond the fans, the Seton Hall basketball marketing team has embraced the Flagman's role and impact on the game day experience. Recognizing his contribution, they have created a dedicated Flagman jersey, further elevating his status as a key figure in the program.
Mosco's growing popularity has also caught the attention of the marketing team’s social media page, @OnwardSetonia on Instagram. To promote him, they created an Instagram reel featuring him posing in his jersey and striking some of his signature celebratory poses.
The reel highlighted his energy and his connection with fans, as they commented. This promotion led to a surge in his follower count, as he gained around 100 new followers, according to Mosco.
As Mosco prepares to graduate, he reflects on his legacy as the Flagman. His approach and relatability have resonated with students and fans alike, making him a beloved figure in the Seton Hall community.
"I definitely think I left a legacy, especially with Flagman just because I’m the most different one since its inception, and I’m just not being a cheerleader,” Mosco said. “I think that's why the fans love me because they could tell [when] I’m struggling, but I still like [to] push through.”
Mosco said he is actively seeking his successor to carry on the Flagman tradition. He has already identified a potential candidate from his fraternity and has trained them once to see if they can take on the role. He explained he hoped this candidate would step up and embrace the role.
Ultimately, the Flagman tradition is a vital part of the college basketball experience, fostering a sense of excitement that transcends the game experience, shared Mosco.
“Like every [or] any college sports tradition, it's always the highlight of the game,” he said. “Especially [because] it is like the only consistent thing. Especially if the team's bad, the traditions are always still there and that's always going to engage the fans.”
Delozier echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of traditions like the Flagman in creating a vibrant and engaging atmosphere for fans and students alike.
“I am a big fan of tradition, especially one that provides school spirit and joy to all who witness the experience,” Delozier said. “Hopefully, the legend of Flagman will go on forever.”
Esmeralda Arias is the Managing Editor of The Setonian. She can be reached at esmeralda.arias@student.shu.edu.
