(Whiting, IN) - The Mascot Hall of Fame in Whiting is closing its doors.   The three story facility, which has been visited by people from all over the nation and world, honors mascot characters from professional and college sports teams like the “Phillie Fanatic”.

Many people considered the Mascot Hall of Fame a success after opening five years ago.  ESPN and Sports Illustrated even did some coverage of the facility honoring other mascots from teams like the Utah Jazz and Ohio State.  However, the glass and steel building stands in the footprint of a development proposed by the BP refinery and some felt it relied too heavily on city tax dollars to operate.

A going away party is scheduled on September 14th for the facility founded by David Raymond, who was the original Phillie Fanatic, according to the Mascot Hall of Fame website.