People see names making the news with big names and big headlines, but often it’s the smaller moments that go unnoticed. This is the story of one of those moments. Over the years, fans hear about team news, player shakeups, organizations changing hands, maybe even player trades, but rarely does it go much deeper than that.
This story goes deeper, with little fanfare beyond an acknowledgment on Facebook and a quiet disappearing act that, in some ways, will forever change the landscape of a small-market team.
Corvallis, Oregon, is home to the Oregon State Beavers football program, which understandably takes a huge share of the spotlight. Because of that, people may overlook a story that, to some, feels even bigger.
After 15 years, the mini mascot of the Corvallis Knights is retiring. The Knights are part of the West Coast League’s Southern Division, which includes teams like the Ridgefield Raptors and Portland Pickles, stretching as far east as Bend, north to Yakima, and south to Springfield, Oregon. The Northern Division stretches as far north as Edmonton, Alberta, with two teams on Vancouver Island and two more in northern Washington, Bellingham and Port Angeles. During his time with the team, he has seen the Knights win nine WCL championships.
For 15 years, the Knights have had various people wear the outfit of their regular mascot, Mack the Knight, but only one person has appeared since 2011 as the smallest mascot in the West Coast League. He is known as Lil King, and after 15 years, he is hanging up the cleats.
Dealing with physical ailments is nothing new to Sloan. Born with Spina Bifida, Scoliosis, and Achondroplasia (Dwarfism), he has faced challenges throughout his life, but they have never stopped him from doing the things he loves.
At just under four feet tall, Justin Sloan has attended every single home game for the Knights, except during COVID, and has also appeared at numerous road playoff games in the communities listed above to support the franchise. He has been a constant presence. For the most part, people have treated him genuinely and respectfully, though there have been times when the line was crossed. He is fine being called a little person and will accept the term dwarf, but other words have been derogatory and hurtful. Through it all, the organization, along with friends and family, has supported him since day one.
After seeing an ad in the Corvallis Gazette looking for someone to wear the Mack the Knight outfit, Sloan was crushed because he was nowhere near the required size to play the role. An ex-teacher, Terry Stephenson, knew of Sloan’s passion for the franchise and also knew Sloan had a stepbrother who had played for the Knights. Stephenson helped him get an opportunity to join the team.
The Knights are part of a college summer league designed to both educate players and give them valuable playing time, with the goal of reaching the professional level or graduating with a degree. Much like the CHL in hockey, where players develop between ages 16 and 20, the system works with players from freshmen through seniors, and once they graduate, they can no longer play for the Knights.
Justin originally worked in the booth, handling the scoring sign and updating strikeouts and scores. After Stephenson recognized his passion and put in a little extra work behind the scenes, Mack the Knight officially gained a sidekick.
Over the years, Justin only missed games while caring for his beloved grandfather, mostly during the COVID era. Usually, you could find him at every championship game, whether divisional or league finals. He even missed one championship game after waking up, taking a COVID test, and discovering he had tested positive. Instead, he sent a photo wishing the team well.
During his time with the franchise, amassing nearly 500 games, Sloan has appeared as a mascot at Portland Trail Blazers and Portland Winterhawks games, as well as West Coast League All-Star events. Though he never officially traveled with the team, he often made road trips with other fans and with those wearing the Mack the Knight costume. Along the way, he connected with others in the mascot world, exchanging tips and learning ways to make his character stand out back home.
Sloan has had plenty of funny moments as Lil King. One came during a sweltering hot game when fans thought a child was inside the costume. People in the organization laughed and explained that it wasn’t a kid at all but a 30-year-old man. Safe to say, Child Protective Services did not need to be called.
Lil King also became heavily involved in the rivalry with the Portland Pickles, a tradition that continues to this day.
For a brief time, Sloan served as a mascot coach at Oregon State University, helping teach the role to Benny and Bernice Beaver. The opportunity lasted only one season and remains a painful memory for him.
Before becoming Lil King, Sloan was an active cheerleader in both middle school and high school, where he displayed tremendous school spirit, which naturally carried over into mascot life.
Like many athletes and performers, he wishes he could continue forever, but time eventually catches up with everyone. At 34, it may seem young to hang up the cleats, but the physical demands of performing as Lil King have taken a toll on his body. Now, he looks ahead to whatever comes next in life.
Look out, Brad Williams and Peter Dinklage, because what Sloan really wants is the chance to appear, even for one game, with the Savannah Bananas.
“Imagine Stilts alongside Lil King. That would be a riot,” Sloan said.
Maybe someone out there can make it happen.
In the meantime, Sloan will return to his regular job, one that has often required flexibility whenever the Knights called, and Lil King was needed.
June 11 will mark the final time fans can see Sloan in action at Goss Stadium when the Knights host the Marion Berries in a two-game homestand. Originally built in 1907, the ballpark remains the oldest continuously used college venue in the country.
Be the first to comment