The annual competition to decide who New York’s favorite mascot is back. This year, the tournament is back for its 6th edition and ready to keep on expanding to newer, bigger heights. 36 unique mascots are getting ready for Round 1, which kicks off on Tuesday, March 13. The schedule for the entire tournament is as follows, by round:
- Round 1: Tuesday, March 13 12:00 p.m. – Friday, March 16 4:00 p.m.
- Round 2: Monday, March 19 12:00 p.m. – Wednesday, March 21 4:00 p.m.
- Round 3: Thursday, March 22 12:00 p.m. – Monday, March 26 4:00 p.m.
- Final Four: Wednesday, March 28 12:00 p.m. – Friday, March 30 4:00 p.m.
- Finals: Monday, April 2 12:00 p.m. – Wednesday, April 4 1:00 p.m.
But to cast the right vote, you need to know these competitors and what makes them stand out. To help, we were able to gather these profiles to better introduce you to the great SUNY Mascots. Read on, in alphabetical order by school, to help make your choice in Region 3:
Eddy Rondack – SUNY Adirondack | Ellsworth Eagle – College at Brockport | Victor E. Bull – University at Buffalo | Rip Van Winkle – Columbia-Greene CC | Oakie Acorn – SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry | Blaze – Onondaga CC | The Colt – SUNY Orange | Max C. Bear – SUNY Potsdam | Perseus the Panther – SUNY Purchase
Eddy Rondack – SUNY Adirondack
- What is your name and what school do you represent?
Eddy Rondack from SUNY Adirondack - What was your favorite athletics moment at school from the past year?
Any chance I had to crush the competition. - If you could major in any one subject at SUNY, what would it be and why?
I’m an aspiring butcher in the Culinary Arts program but my cuts are a little rough. - If you could teach one class at SUNY, what would it be and why?
I’d kill it as an Adventure Sports Instructor. - What is your favorite breakfast cereal to eat in the morning?
Special adK
- What is your favorite topping to put on an ice cream or frozen yogurt sundae?
Meat
- In your free time, what is your favorite NY activity to do?
Prowling the Adirondack Mountains. - What 3 items would you take to a desert island to help pass the time?
A copy of Lord of the Flies, a row boat and oars so I could escape. - If you weren’t a mascot for your school, what job would you have?
I’d be the lead singer in a Duran Duran cover band called Hungry Like the Wolf - Tell us one secret people would be surprised to know about you.
I cry during every episode of This is Us.
Ellsworth Eagle – The College at Brockport
- What is your name and what school do you represent?
Ellsworth Eagle – The College at Brockport - What was your favorite athletics moment at school from the past year?
Our football team not only clinched the Empire 8 Division Championship, but also made it to the DIII Final Four for the first time ever. Go Golden Eagles! - If you could major in any one subject at SUNY, what would it be and why?
I would major in the Brockport Nursing Program. When I was an Eaglet I fell out of my nest and broke my leg, and the Nursing program would help me to #ProtectTheNest. - If you could teach one class at SUNY, what would it be and why?
Dance – I love to shake my tailfeathers! - What is your favorite breakfast cereal to eat in the morning?
Anything but Cheerios – they get caught on my beak. - What is your favorite topping to put on an ice cream or frozen yogurt sundae?
Gummy worms (or just… worms.) - In your free time, what is your favorite NY activity to do?
Eat garbage plates, all day every day. Even better if it’s from my Golden Eagle pal/Brockport alum, Jimmy Z. - What 3 items would you take to a desert island to help pass the time?
Cell phone (how else would I play HQ Trivia every day?); A stereo to play the Brockport fight song on repeat (see: Timmy Trumpet – Freaks); Nail file to sharpen my talons #TALONSUP - If you weren’t a mascot for your school, what job would you have?
Easy. I would still be a mascot, but with my fellow flock over in Philadelphia. They are the reigning Super Bowl Champs, after all. - Tell us one secret people would be surprised to know about you.
I got my name from Bob Boozer – the originator of Brockport’s football program. Ellsworth was his middle name!
Victor E. Bull – University at Buffalo
- What is your name and what school do you represent?
Ring that cowbell! My name is Victor E. Bull and I proudly represent The University at Buffalo! - What was your favorite athletics moment at school from the past year?
Making it to the MAC Tournament, of course! Did you enjoy watching some #MACtion from our Bulls? - If you could major in any one subject at SUNY, what would it be and why?
I would major in Dance. Have you seen these dance moves on and off the court?! Our Bulls have me dancing all day! - If you could teach one class at SUNY, what would it be and why?
It would be my greatest Victor-E to teach physics at UB. I’m a huge physics fan, if you didn’t know. How do you think I help our Bulls shoot those perfect free throws? - What is your favorite breakfast cereal to eat in the morning?
Every morning, I love to dive into a bowl of fresh BLUEberry Toast Crunch! - What is your favorite topping to put on an ice cream or frozen yogurt sundae?
BLUEberries and BLUEberry syrup! Can I add BLUEberry ice cream or is that a little much… - In your free time, what is your favorite NY activity to do?
Living in Buffalo is so exciting because there’s always something fun to do no matter what season it is! I love heading out to canalside to go ice skating in the winter! Buffalo’s Canalside has the most un-BULL-ievably beautiful ice rink! - What 3 items would you take to a desert island to help pass the time?
I would take a good book to enjoy my time, some of my favorite Buffalo food – like chicken wings – and all of my UB Bulls! Wait, I can’t take the UB Community with me? - If you weren’t a mascot for your school, what job would you have?
I would be a professor at UB because I love these students and this university so much! I want them to learn and grow and I’d be honored to help them along the way. - Tell us one secret people would be surprised to know about you.
I’ve been UB’s official mascot for only 21 years!
Rip Van Winkle – Columbia-Greene Community College
- What is your name and what school do you represent?
I’m Rip Van Winkle, and I represent Columbia-Greene Community College – Go Twins! - What was your favorite athletics moment at school from the past year?
My favorite moment by far was our pep rally to celebrate the Women’s Basketball Team after they were ranked fifth in the nation among DIII teams by the NJCAA! - If you could major in any one subject at SUNY, what would it be and why?
I love Individual Studies because I am one-of-a-kind. But we’ve also got some new programs here, like cybersecurity and agribusiness, and those seem cool, too. - If you could teach one class at SUNY, what would it be and why?
I pitched the college a Sleep Study 101 course, but it didn’t fly. So, I think teaching Environmental Studies with an emphasis on the local area would be a great fit for me. - What is your favorite breakfast cereal to eat in the morning?
Quaker Oats, mostly because I’m friends with the guy on the box. - What is your favorite topping to put on an ice cream or frozen yogurt sundae?
What’s frozen yogurt? Sorry, I’ve been asleep for 20 years. - In your free time, what is your favorite NY activity to do?
Most people know I’m fond of hiking the Catskill Mountains … and napping. - What 3 items would you take to a desert island to help pass the time?
My buckskins, a pillow, and a copy of Washington Irving’s awesome story about me. - If you weren’t a mascot for your school, what job would you have?
That’s easy. Professional bowler. I missed my calling… - Tell us one secret people would be surprised to know about you.
I love a parade.
Oakie Acorn – College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- What is your name and what school do you represent?
I’m Oakie Acorn and I proudly represent the College of Environmental Science and Forestry. - What was your favorite athletics moment at school from the past year?
Our Mighty Oaks basketball team played its Senior Night game in the Carrier Dome. Watching the guys play their hearts out in such an iconic venue and seeing all our fans in the stands made me quake down to my roots. - If you could major in any one subject at SUNY, what would it be and why?
I have a dancer’s soul – or is it soles? Either way, I would major in dance. Maybe at Brockport so I could hang out with Ellsworth the Eagle between classes! - If you could teach one class at SUNY, what would it be and why?
Dendrology. Who better to teach the study of trees than an acorn? - What is your favorite breakfast cereal to eat in the morning?
French Toast Crunch, but I prefer actual French toast that I can top with ESF-produced maple syrup. - What is your favorite topping to put on ice cream or frozen yogurt sundae?
Maple syrup produced at ESF’s Heiberg Forest. - In your free time, what is your favorite NY activity to do?
I love to hike in the great New York state parks. An added benefit is seeing all the ESF alumni who work with the NYS Parks. It makes every park I visit feel like home. - What 3 items would you take to a desert island to help pass the time?
A soccer ball to practice my footwork; A copy of Trees of New York State: Native and Naturalized by ESF’s Dr. Donald Leopold so I can easily identify my tree brethren; A journal to write down my thoughts for my future memoirs “A-Corny Idea: The Life and Times of a Nut at College.” (My journal would of course be constructed of paper made by ESF students in the paper science program.) - If you weren’t a mascot for your school, what job would you have?
I would be a motivational speaker. Only I don’t talk, so I’d have to use subtitles. - Tell us one secret people would be surprised to know about you.
If it’s a secret and I tell you then it’s not a secret anymore, is it? I will tell you something few people know though. Inside this buff, athletic exterior I’m a closet nerd. I love sci-fi, superheroes, anime, Harry Potter, Star Wars, Star Trek, and musicals. Then again, maybe it’s not such a big secret after all, but I am who I am.
Blaze – Onondaga Community College
- What is your name and what school do you represent?
My name is “Blaze” and I represent “The People’s College,” Onondaga Community College. - What was your favorite athletics moment at school from the past year?
When our Men’s Lacrosse team won its 10th (I repeat 10th) national title. Being the best never gets old! - If you could major in any one subject at SUNY, what would it be and why?
Health & Nutrition. I’m pretty tired and sore at the end of a season. I need help taking care of myself! - If you could teach one class at SUNY, what would it be and why?
Business. No mascot is better at giving people the business than me. - What is your favorite breakfast cereal to eat in the morning?
Depends on whom is on our schedule on any given day. I love devouring our opponents! - What is your favorite topping to put on an ice cream or frozen yogurt sundae?
Blueberries because our school colors are blue! - In your free time, what is your favorite NY activity to do?
Go to the State Fair! Even though I’m blue and have wild hair, I tend to blend in. - What 3 items would you take to a desert island to help pass the time?
My lacrosse stick, my ball, and my boom box. - If you weren’t a mascot for your school, what job would you have?
GQ Model - Tell us one secret people would be surprised to know about you.
During the summer I work as a stunt double in Hollywood.
The Colt – SUNY Orange
- What is your name and what school do you represent?
You can call me “The Colt” and I represent SUNY Orange! - What was your favorite athletics moment at school from the past year?
The SUNY Orange volleyball team qualified for the Mid-Hudson Conference Tournament as the third seed and upended the second seed in the semi-finals! We also had three players make the All Mid-Hudson Conference Team and our middle hitter, Cassidy Smith led the nation in kills per set and points per set! - If you could major in any one subject at SUNY, what would it be and why?
If I don’t say Exercise Studies, the Movement Science faculty will chase me all over campus. Come to think of it that sounds like fun…so, Accounting, yeah Accounting. - If you could teach one class at SUNY, what would it be and why?
Concepts of Physical Wellness. Everyone should learn the basics on how to keep healthy! - What is your favorite breakfast cereal to eat in the morning?
By morning I’m out running in the fields after a big bowl of oats. Grass is good for a snack. - What is your favorite topping to put on an ice cream or frozen yogurt sundae?
ORANGE sprinkles - In your free time, what is your favorite NY activity to do?
The Goshen Historic Raceway is good for a few laps! - What 3 items would you take to a desert island to help pass the time?
Toolkit, Boatbuilding Kit, Outboard Motor – Seriously, I’m getting to our games one way or another! - If you weren’t a mascot for your school, what job would you have?
A Doctor. I could work at the HORSEpital and tell folks they’re in a STABLE condition! - Tell us one secret people would be surprised to know about you.
I do have a name, but it’s connected to my dark and secret past, so I tell people to call me “The Colt”. It’s all very “Doctor Who”.
Max C. Bear – SUNY Potsdam
- What is your name and what school do you represent?
Max C. Bear, representing SUNY Potsdam! - What was your favorite athletics moment at school from the past year?
Watching our alumnus, Bears Hall of Famer Chris Lee ’04 win an Olympic medal as a member of the Team Canada men’s hockey team at Pyeongchang 2018. Hard to top that! - If you could major in any one subject at SUNY, what would it be and why?
I’d major in Exercise Science at SUNY Potsdam—with a minor in wilderness education. Figure I’d ace that! - If you could teach one class at SUNY, what would it be and why?
The Biological Concepts lab… they take lots of field trips to check out local species in the wild, like blue herons, dragonflies, and Blanding’s turtles. Maybe we can take some detours to check out local salmon and berries, too! - What is your favorite breakfast cereal to eat in the morning?
Honey Combs, what else? - What is your favorite topping to put on an ice cream or frozen yogurt sundae?
I like a little sprinkle of Cardinal feathers and some Red Dragon scales. - In your free time, what is your favorite NY activity to do?
I’m a 46er—I’ve climbed all of the High Peaks in the Adirondacks. My favorites are the ones with firetowers! - What 3 items would you take to a desert island to help pass the time?
My hockey stick (hey, never know when it might come in handy!), a good book and my best buddy from down the road… Roody Roo. - If you weren’t a mascot for your school, what job would you have?
Probably a park ranger. - Tell us one secret people would be surprised to know about you.
I also play the saxophone… one of these days, I want to jam with the Crane Jazz Ensemble!
Perseus the Panther – SUNY Purchase
- What is your name and what school do you represent?
I’m a Panther – Perseus the Purchase College Panther! - What was your favorite athletics moment at school from the past year?
Hoops game-winner in January that made ESPN’s No. 1 play on SportsCenter! - If you could major in any one subject at SUNY, what would it be and why?
Sports management … Helps a young Panther find work in college athletics. - If you could teach one class at SUNY, what would it be and why?
Sports psychology … Helps young athletes (mascots included) get the rind mindset for competition. - What is your favorite breakfast cereal to eat in the morning?
Frosted Flakes! “They’re GREEEAAATTT!” - What is your favorite topping to put on an ice cream or frozen yogurt sundae?
Gummy bears! - In your free time, what is your favorite NY activity to do?
The gym, Duh! - What 3 items would you take to a desert island to help pass the time?
My tablet (equipped with wifi) to check Panther athletic scores, a jump rope to stay in shape and my volleyball, Wilson. - If you weren’t a mascot for your school, what job would you have?
The Carolina Panther … Time to go pro! I could easily take that gig! - Tell us one secret people would be surprised to know about you.
My name comes from Greek mythology and was given to me through a campus fan vote. In mythology, the original Perseus beheaded Medusa for Polydectes and saved Andromeda from the sea monster Cetus. Not many mascots have a name like mine.
