The Man Inside the Ram: Matt Crawford

Taking photos of Matt Crawford without a ram on his head (and a shirt on) is a strange experience — even for him. The faces he usually pulls underneath a mask are now revealed as he gives the camera his classic flexing Fergus poses.  

Matt has been at this for two years, but Fergus the Ram has been a symbol of Massey University since 1930, when the student association adopted a ram head into its logo. In the past two years, has Fergus also become a symbol of Massive too. He's appeared on covers, had his own advice column Ramming with Fergus, and a secondary DIY column, Fix It Fergus. You’ll likely also catch special editions like Fergus fanfiction or his Ramming Playlist. PSA: None of these are actually written by Matt — he's just the model, give us creative writers some credit.  

Fergus is something most universities don’t have — a truly iconic Kiwi mascot. He’s sexy, he’s horny, he’s an Aries, he’s unapologetically Fergus.  

When Massive decided to incorporate Fergus into the magazine, we were pretty certain the university wouldn’t loan us their head for what we had planned. So, with a bit of cardboard and fluffy fabric, we made our own. But the question of who would fill it was still up in the air.

Find us a pasty white man! We manifested, and Matt appeared.  

Now, third year Concept Design student Matt is gearing up to graduate from both university and Fergus the Ram. 

“I just love embarrassing myself,” Matt laughs.  

He reminisces about getting the gig: “I had heard through the grapevine, ‘there’s people looking for someone to pose half naked in a farm surrounded by sheep’, and I was like that sounds like a bit of me.”  

Getting to know Matt over the past two years (and 11 photoshoots), he’s a goofy, fun loving, extroverted bloke. Having previously given drag a go at a Halls event in first year, stepping up into the university mascot sex god was the natural progression.  

“This is my first modelling gig, and probably my last.” 

The first photoshoot needed to be a simple introduction to Fergus the Ram for readers — so a paddock of sheep was an obvious choice. Driving out of Wellington City to a random farm the owners had graciously allowed us to use, Matt was just excited to get out of the city limits.  

Matt was a natural and slipped into his Fergus alter-ego with ease. After the photos landed on the cover and centrefold of the first ‘Farming’ themed issue, that’s when the thirst for Fergus really began. Fire and drooling emojis filled the comment section, and many slid into Matt’s DMs. His friends created shrines to Fergus with the photos — even in Matt’s own flat.  

“So many of my mates have shrines to me. Many of them in their bathrooms.”  

But taking creative directions while wearing a huge cardboard head with no eye holes is not easy. He mastered this skill during our longest shoot: The ‘Fergalicious’ parody music video. 

It was only the second time Matt had taken on the role, and it was a big group effort. Music students recorded the track, while Film students filmed and edited. Matt/Fergus danced in paddocks, kitchens, and parking lots. Thank god he didn’t have to lip sync too. Despite its silliness, the video helped Massive win Best Multimedia Journalism at last year’s student media awards. 

You’ve probably all had a brother, dad, grandad, or ex-boyfriend like Fergus. He’s that Kiwi bloke, bit of a sleaze, maybe even a little stupid, but you can’t help but love him.  

“Yeah, that’s Fergus, he’s just a silly idiot.” 

Really, Fergus is a critique on the ‘macho’, ‘alpha male’. The satire pieces ‘by Fergus’ are always written by women. Like the men who fit this stereotype, not everyone loves Fergus the Ram. At least Massive’s version of him. Responses to Fergus content are a mix of student lust, love, and distaste.  

But a university choosing a ram as their mascot has gotta offer some satire sexual connotations. “That’s totally on them. That’s a bit of a Fergus moment,” Matt jokes.  

Matt might play Fergus, but he’s a huge fangirl too. Particularly for the costume itself – not that there’s much to it. Red Band Gumboots, Canterbury Shorts, and a wifebeater singlet if we’re being conservative. Fergus’ look can be found around the country... or maybe just at the Palmerston North campus library.  

Between assignments and trips home, Matt gets some outlandish text invites from Massive: 

Hey Matt! Wanna ride a mechanical bull surrounded by Fergus fans?  

Fergus needs to teach students how to wrap their OWeek toga’s!! When are you free?  

Yo Matt, wanna teach students how to make an apple bong?  

And most recently, Hey Matt, wanna streak (not actually) through campus? The censored photos had many asking Matt if he actually got naked on campus. But no, the Canterbury shorts remained on, and Photoshop skills did the work.  

No matter what we’ve thrown at Matt, he’s been down for it and more. Jumping on dumpsters, humping fenceposts, and all while offering a signature bicep flex. Matt has the photoshoots down packed. “It comes second nature now that I’ve got to know the character.”  

“I know what you guys want. You expect something a little more outlandish. You want me to do something a little bit kooky.” Whether Matt likes it or not, the memory of playing Fergus will stick with him... and his digital footprint.  

It’s all fun and games with Matt, until someone else wears the Fergus head. Pranks involving the mascot head have been a regular in the Massive office. But when Matt catches someone else wearing it, we’ll get a prompt text riddled with jealousy. The question of whether there will be a new Fergus model next year is up in the air. But does Matt feel territorial?  

“Nahhhh. I mean, yeah,” he admits with a laugh.  

“I can’t believe I’m complaining about it even though the inside is so hard to wear.” 

As we finish up our final photoshoot with Matt, this one a bit different, the mascot head has some technical difficulties. His horns are drooping, his insides are precariously held together with tape, and his helmet is falling out. Despite Matt trying to shove him back together, it appears Fergus himself is heartbroken at losing his buddy (or lower body?).  

With a bit more tape, we’ll get the Fergus head screwed back on. And the man inside the ram will kiss the wool coat farewell.