Phil the Pill a hit at St. Patrick's Day Parade

Phil the Pill is a hot ticket. An old-time sportswriter would coin some nickname like “The Pharmacy Phenom” or “The Bodacious Bottle” to illustrate how he has captured the fancy of fame.

Fresh off the starring turn in "The Red Phone Trilogy" — new pharmacy building videos "The Groundbreaking," "The Topping Out Ceremony" and "Moving Day" — Phil was summoned back to duty for the mascot dance party held for Clyde the Cougar during a College of Charleston basketball game in January.

Appearance requests came rolling in rapid succession. MUSC Discover Day. Alumni Weekend. Patient Safety Week.

And then there was the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Thousands of people, many of whom wanted a picture with the giant pill bottle. He gave high fives and hugs to children, waves and dance moves to the adults, and utterly charmed the crowd.

Different people have borne the bottle at these appearances, such as student Kyrle Luth, faculty member Chris Wisniewski, and interim co-department chair Yuri Peterson. All of them have risen to the challenge admirably.

Whoever dons the clown-sneakers next will have some big shoes to… Phil.