When Binghamton University’s mascot, Baxter the Bearcat, won SUNY’s 2015 Mascot Madness competition for the second year in a row, students across campus didn’t take the victory lightly. Becoming the first school in SUNY history to nab back-to-back championships was incredible! So, after some high-fiving and social media shout-outs, the campus community decided that an epic celebration was needed. After all, Baxter deserved some serious recognition and the Binghamton community deserved some props for helping him win.
Baxter thanks everyone @binghamtonu for helping him win #MascotMadness! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/2vy7JTnqlv
— BinghamtonUniversity (@binghamtonu) May 1, 2015
Representatives from all over campus – folks in communications, athletics and the student group the BU Zoo – got together and hatched a plan. The celebration needed to be big and it needed to be fun. With that in mind, a parade and ceremony to honor Baxter and the students was organized.
On the morning of May 1, a call went out on our social media channels – a celebration to honor Baxter’s Mascot Madness win was taking place from the Lecture Hall to the University Union, and you had to be there. Around 1 p.m., members of athletic teams, spirit squads and student cheering section the BU Zoo joined Baxter in a motorized procession down the Lois B. DeFleur Walkway. With music blaring, pom-poms shaking and candy being tossed to passersby, it was hard to not notice the festivities. People were laughing and having a blast!
The parade ended in front of the University Union, where Associate Athletic Director Dave Simek and members of the BU Zoo held a ceremony to honor Baxter and everyone who helped him win Mascot Madness. Students cheered and Baxter held the Mascot Madness Cup in the air with pride! Prizes were given out and everyone there got a green Rice Krispy treat. Yum!
Simek is grateful for the support that Binghamton students and the local community provided throughout the Mascot Madness competition.
“The Binghamton community really pulled through for Baxter, and this ceremony and parade were our way of saying ‘Thank you,’” said Simek. “With this kind of spirit, perhaps Baxter will secure a three-peat next year!”
Winning Mascot Madness was a big boost in spirit for the Binghamton community, and this celebration was the icing on the cake. And thanks to the magic of social media, alumni and community members were able to share in the festivities. It truly was a day fit for a Bearcat!
WBNG 12 News in Binghamton even covered the parade events on their evening newscast:
