As the second annual SUNY Mascot Madness comes to a close, we bid farewell to the action-packed weeks of friendly competition across New York State. With 43 SUNY campuses representing 637 athletics teams and a whopping 363,000 students, this year’s has been the most comprehensive and exciting SUNY Mascot Madness yet!
In the end, Binghamton University’s Baxter Bearcat was crowned New York’s favorite college mascot, coming out on top over the College at Brockport’s Ellsworth Eagle. The coveted SUNY Mascot Madness Cup must now be passed down from last year’s champion, SUNY New Paltz’s Hugo the Hawk. So, as Baxter prepares to carry the title for the next 12 months, we want to relive the competition as it came down to the wire in the last hours and highlight the incredible sportsmanship that the entire SUNY community displayed this year.
From the start, it was no secret that Ellsworth has a smaller student population to support him than Baxter–so the bird sought support from some creative places, like Genesee Community College.
@sunygcc Our undying gratitude. And we’ll post several cute puppy pictures on our feed for you. Would that work? #MascotMadness.
— College at Brockport (@Brockport) March 28, 2014
And local television station FOX Rochester WUHF joined in on the fun.
As each round became more exhilarating than the last, the introduction of social voting ultimately decided the fate of the competition.
Go #TeamBaxter go! We’re down, but not out. VOTE @BinghamtonU in @SUNY #MascotMadness → http://t.co/3T6LyC5c30 — Ashley Kuenneke (@akuenn) April 3, 2014
Vote and hit those tweet and share buttons Binghamton! Less than two hours left and up by a small margin! pic.twitter.com/uSFo0csBJo
— BinghamtonUniversity (@binghamtonu) April 3, 2014
C’mon guys lets get Ellsworth in the lead!! Support @Brockport in @SUNY #MascotMadness! VOTE→ http://t.co/B4QkfkynQN #TeamEllsworth
— Devyn Viscome (@DevynCheriee) April 2, 2014
In the end, Binghamton University’s Baxter triumphed.
Congratulations to @BinghamtonU‘s Baxter Bearcat! http://t.co/h1ISKoZUKH #MascotMadness pic.twitter.com/LEcxPsdvsk
— State U of New York (@SUNY) April 3, 2014
And then everybody joined in the warm celebration.
— MVCC Mohawk Valley (@MVCC_UticaRome) April 3, 2014
Congrats to @binghamtonu’s Baxter Bearcat, voted NY’s favorite #college mascot in @SUNY Mascot Madness! http://t.co/rLsEmWYjss — SUNY Ulster (@SUNYUlster) April 3, 2014
Because at the end of the day…
Congrats @BinghamtonU‘s Baxter Bearcat – winner of #MascotMadness @SUNY http://t.co/Cf3b5ID58i — Oakie Acorn (@ESFOakie) April 3, 2014
…we’re just one big family.
Congratulations to @binghamtonu and Baxter Bearcat on winning the @SUNY #MascotMadness 2014! #welcometotheclub pic.twitter.com/ZSMl4gz2mw — SUNY New Paltz (@newpaltz) April 3, 2014
Oh, and the cute puppy pictures that the College at Brockport promised to Genesee Community College?
Paying off a #mascotmadness debt to our friends at @sunygcc: https://t.co/gZ7wnC3H4H #cutepuppies #cuteemergency
— College at Brockport (@Brockport) April 4, 2014
Done.
The level of support offered by the entire SUNY community is the force that keeps SUNY so strong. Whether you’re an alumnus, student, prospective student, faculty member, or community member, this competition is a way for everyone to feel connected. Each and every person, campus, and mascot involved in this year’s SUNY Mascot Madness helped make it a memorable one. And for those who missed out on the fun, we’ll see you next year!
It was a great narration. I laughed while reading. Thank you. 🙂