News that the cast and crew of Captain America: The Winter Soldier are filming on the National Mall today didn’t take long to reach the George Washington University athletic department.

The school’s mascot, its namesake dressed in a general’s uniform, ambled down to the National Air and Space Museum, where Captain America star Chris Evans was filming a few scenes.

The person in the mascot tried to cross the street to where the cameras were positioned, but was repeatedly pushed back, says David Earl, GWU’s director of fan engagement. An attempt to “pull rank” failed, too. After the mascot pulled out a sign reading “I could use a sidekick,” the mascot was escorted back across the street a final time and told not to return to the set.

Crew members were a bit friendly, though, Earl says. At least in the sense that some of them waved back.