Mascot Madness is the contest to see who New York’s favorite college mascot is. But who exactly are these characters? What makes them tick? Here’s your chance to find out, as we help you meet the Mascots competing in Mascot Madness 2016!
Here we have the first of four bracket regions, the Erie region. See what makes these professionals tick and how their personalities help them to keep the spirit going strong at their respective campuses. After reading about each, make sure to vote for your favorite in this year’s tournament.
Sheldon – Oswego | Oakie Acorn – SUNY ESF | Colt – Orange County CC | Benji Bengal – Buffalo State | Roody – SUNY Canton | OWWIN – Old Westbury | Victor E. Bull – UBUffalo | Reggie Raider – Fulton Montgomery CC | Ram-bo – Farmingdale State College
Sheldon – SUNY Oswego
1) Who are you and what do you do?
I’m a statue of our founder, Edward Austin Sheldon. I kind of watch over the campus from in front of Sheldon Hall. I hope I make people smile.
2) Where did you work before you were hired as a mascot?
Since I’m not an official mascot, I’ve really only had one job — being the best statue I can be. I’ve been around since 1900, when I started in Albany, before moving to the Oswego campus.
3) What is your most embarrassing mascot moment?
Sometimes people come along and put hats and scarves on me. It looks a bit silly.
4) Which mascot would be your SUNY sidekick?
Oakie, the ESF acorn. I love trees.
5) What is your favorite part of New York State?
I’m perhaps biased, but I love Oswego. We get snow and cold in the winter, as do many parts of the state, but our summers are spectacular. Plus, we have a Great Lake right next to campus.
6) Have you ever studied abroad?
I’ve always wanted to study the great statues of Rome, Greece and beyond, but it’s rather hard for a statue to travel.
7) What TV show could you watch all day?
Who needs a TV when you have so many interesting students, faculty, staff and visitors walking past me every day?
8) What is your favorite fast food spot?
Rudy’s, the classic eatery down the lakeside a bit, is a regional tradition. Sometimes seagulls bring me fries, which are delicious.
9) What song/music do you listen to in order to get hyped for an event?
Any song performed by our students is exciting!
10) What is the best class you ever took?
Sculpture.
Oakie Acorn – SUNY ESF
1) Who are you and what do you do?
I am Oakie the Acorn, the proud mascot of ESF’s Mighty Oaks athletic teams and, in general, campus supporter for everything our students do — whether they are on the playing field or out doing fieldwork.
2) Where did you work before you were hired as a mascot?
It seems I was born for and into this job. I have no prior memories until landing at ESF. Call it destiny.
3) What is your most embarrassing mascot moment?
All I’m going to say is, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
4) Which mascot would be your SUNY sidekick?
I’m more of a lone acorn kind of mascot. But if I had to choose, it would be anybody who’s not a squirrel or chipmunk.
5) What is your favorite part of New York State?
It’s so hard to choose, since New York has so much to offer. I’m partial to the Adirondacks which is home to ESF’s Ranger School and the Newcomb Campus. They are stunning year round.
6) Have you ever studied abroad?
Not yet. It’s hard to book a seat that’s large enough for me to sit comfortably on a plane.
7) What TV show could you watch all day?
I love Treehouse Masters on the Animal Planet. For those of you who haven’t had the pleasure of living in a tree, you’ll want a treehouse after watching this show. It’s like HGTV for an acorn.
8) What is your favorite fast food spot?
I try to eat local every chance I get so when I want a quick bite to eat there is nothing better than a slice of pizza at Varsity Pizza on University Hill in Syracuse.
9) What song/music do you listen to in order to get hyped for an event?
There are a couple songs I like to get psyched for a game. There’s Paul Oakenfold’s Beautiful Goal which is great during soccer season. Then for a classic rock vibe, I like to listen to Rush’s The Trees and play air guitar.
10) What is the best class you ever took?
Dendrology, of course. Hours upon hours of learning about trees – it’s the best.
Colt – Orange County CC
1) Who are you and what do you do?
I am The SUNY Orange Colt! I currently represent seven teams at the College, but I am excited to say that we will be adding men’s and women’s cross country in the Fall of 2016. The College offered cross country many years ago, and we had a very rich running tradition. As a runner myself, I can’t want for us to add these two new teams to our “stable.”
2) Where did you work before you were hired as a mascot?
I worked as a plow horse on a farm just outside of Middletown. Orange County has a rich agricultural history, so my siblings and I all had farming jobs growing up.
3) What is your most embarrassing mascot moment?
My horseshoe coming lose during a game and knocking out the ref!
4) Which mascot would be your SUNY sidekick?
The Old Westbury Panther. We met years ago when I was vacationing at his Equestrian Center on Long Island. I go back there every summer. It’s my annual “island” getaway!
5) What is your favorite part of New York State?
Goshen, NY. They have the Harness Racing Museum and Hall of Fame, and a neat Historic Track. What more could a horse ask for?
6) Have you ever studied abroad?
I’ve never studied abroad, but I regularly travel down to the Outer Banks to run with the wild horses on Ocracoke Island!
7) What TV show could you watch all day?
Mr. Ed re-runs.
8) What is your favorite fast food spot?
The salad bar at Ruby Tuesday: Carrots. greens, apple salad. Everything a guy like me needs to keep up his strength!
9) What song/music do you listen to in order to get hyped for an event?
“A Horse with No Name” by America. “I’ve been through the desert on a horse with no name, It felt good to be out of the rain. In the desert you can remember your name, Cause there ain’t no one for to give you no pain. La, la.”
10) What is the best class you ever took?
Principles of Equine Behavior.
Benji Bengal – Buffalo State
1) Who are you and what do you do?
Benji the Bengal and I support Buffalo State Athletics by bringing the noise.
2) Where did you work before you were hired as a mascot?
I was in a traveling circus throughout Europe with my friends Alex, Marty, Gloria and Melman.
3) What is your most embarrassing mascot moment?
One time I slipped on a banana peel during a basketball game and my head fell off!
4) Which mascot would be your SUNY sidekick?
I’d say Fredonia’s Blue Devil because the Devil you know…
5) What is your favorite part of New York State?
Canalside in downtown Buffalo. It has seen an amazing renaissance! I love taking my lady friend ice skating on New York’s largest outdoor skating rink and then we like to grab a bite to eat at 716.
6) Have you ever studied abroad?
I spent a semester in India during college to explore and connect with my roots. It was a great experience, although my tummy probably would not agree. I couldn’t wait to return home and eat normal foods again like beef on weck and chicken wings.
7) What TV show could you watch all day?
The Bachelor! I love watching the contestants on their journey to find love in this crazy world and it seems like each rose ceremony is even more dramatic than the previous one.
8) What is your favorite fast food spot?
Hero Certified Burgers on Elmwood. They are delicious and fast and I don’t know what is in the Hero sauce, but I could eat it on anything….I wish I would have had a few bottles of it when I was in India.
9) What song/music do you listen to in order to get hyped for an event?
I love “Sunglasses at Night” by Corey Hart….There is no stopping me after I hear that song.
10) What is the best class you ever took?
I once took a ball room dancing class that really helped mold me into the lady killer I am today.
Roody – SUNY Canton
1) Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Roody Roo! I bounce from sporting event to sporting event here at SUNY Canton cheering on all our teams and enjoying our fans.
2) Where did you work before you were hired as a mascot?
Before I was hired as a mascot I worked back at home at Melbourne Zoo in Australia. I sure do miss the warm weather there!
3) What is your most embarrassing mascot moment?
My most embarrassing mascot moment would have to be I was bouncing around from so much excitement at a lacrosse game but since there was still some snow on the ground I slipped and fell on my tail.
4) Which mascot would be your SUNY sidekick?
My SUNY sidekick would have to be Max C. Bear from SUNY Potsdam. He’s a great neighbor and lives right down the road!
5) What is your favorite part of New York State?
My favorite parts are the state parks along the St. Lawrence River. This Roo loves to be out in the sun catching some rays. My joeys love to play in the sand and hop around, while I attempt to get a nice golden tan. Unfortunately, I usually end up looking like my cousin, Rory, the red kangaroo.
6) Have you ever studied abroad?
Well, I’m a native of Australia, so does being at SUNY Canton count?
7) What TV show could you watch all day?
I love The Voice. Maybe that’s because I’m also an excellent singer, but I respect anyone who is a performer and can entertain. I also enjoy any show with animals in it. I almost got a part in a show on Animal Planet’s “When Dingo’s Attack” but another Kangaroo got the part.
8) What is your favorite fast food spot?
Sergis is located right in Downtown Canton, and they have the best pizza rolls ever. They are good any time of the day and especially as a late night snack. Sometimes, I even put a few in my pouch and save them for later!
9) What song/music do you listen to in order to get hyped for an event?
Anything that can have me jumping or bouncing around a lot since that is my favorite thing to do! My favorite game day song has to be “Jump Around!” by House of Pain.
10) What is the best class you ever took?
One of the best classes I ever took would have to be sports broadcasting. I really enjoyed this class because we did an event just like Around the Horn on ESPN but instead called it Around the Pouch on RSN (Roo Sports Network). And everyone knows I love a good pouch!
OWWIN – Old Westbury
1) Who are you and what do you do?
I’m OWWIN and I “bleed green” for the SUNY Old Westbury Panthers. When I’m not rooting for our student-athletes at our games, I prowl around campus sharing my Panther Pride! PAWS UP!
2) Where did you work before you were hired as a mascot?
I had applied to be a spokesman for a children’s toy store, but was beat out by a giraffe. I then applied to be on the front of a cereal box, but they went with a tiger instead. Old Westbury is the perfect place for me.
3) What is your most embarrassing mascot moment?
I misunderstood our Cross Country coach when he asked that I make a trail to help our team train on-campus. I thought he literally wanted it to span cross-country… I’m nothing if not thorough.
4) Which mascot would be your SUNY sidekick?
I’m partial to the cat-family, so I would say Baxter the Bearcat or the Purchase Panther. Us felines have to stick together!
5) What is your favorite part of New York State?
My campus is 604-acres, with lots of forestry to roam around. There’s no place like home!
6) Have you ever studied abroad?
Actually, I just signed up to go to France. I want to travel to Paris in search of the Pink Panther – I think we’d make a good team.
7) What TV show could you watch all day?
Big Cats Week on National Geographic! Or Thundercats… don’t judge me.
8) What is your favorite fast food spot?
PAWnera Bread.
9) What song/music do you listen to in order to get hyped for an event?
Roar by Katy Perry or Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N’ Roses.
10) What is the best class you ever took?
Egyptian Studies… did you know that they worshipped cats in Ancient Egypt?
Victor E. Bull – UBuffalo
1) Who are you and what do you do?
I am Victor E. Bull. I stampede UB stands and get True Blue fans pumped for the game, my limbs flailing enthusiastically, my soul sweating from the inside.
2) Where did you work before you were hired as a mascot?
I worked in landscaping… and by that I mean I would occasionally eat my neighbors’ grass.
3) What is your most embarrassing mascot moment?
That would have to be the time my friend told me a joke and I laughed so hard that smoke came out of my nose.
4) Which mascot would be your SUNY sidekick?
Definitely Oakie the Acorn from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Ideally, I’d like a Jiminy Cricket type, but acorns fit in my pocket just the same.
5) What is your favorite part of New York State?
It would have to be the green pastures.
6) Have you ever studied abroad?
Yes, I’ve studied in Spain to compete in the running of the bulls. I continue to train annually.
7) What TV show could you watch all day?
My Strange Addictions. I’ve been waiting for an episode that features a person addicted to red cloth. I need validation. Am I the only one who can’t stop thinking about it?
8) What is your favorite fast food spot?
I enjoy Five Guys. Considering my weight and food capacity, it seems right to eat no less than five.
9) What song/music do you listen to in order to get hyped for an event?
Typically our Alma Mater.. [To blue… and white… pledge loyalty, singing “I will allll-ways remember three!]. But if my boys are in the room, I’ll crank Bulls on Parade.
10) What is the best class you ever took?
Definitely Sign Language. I had to learn to communicate with all my fans using just my hoofs!
Reggie Raider – Fulton Montgomery CC
1) Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Reggie the Raider. I moved in with me cousin Blackbeard at the tender age of 12. Ol’ Blackbeard taught me how to put on a ‘game face.’ Once I perfected it, I moved to Johnstown, New York where I was hired as their fearless mascot! Rrrrrrrrrrr!
2) Where did you work before you were hired as a mascot?
I was an arrrrrrrrrrchitect back in York, England. I helped construct the Jorvik Viking Centre to honor some of me ol’ time sea raider friends! Rrrrrrrrrr!
3) What is your most embarrassing mascot moment?
Oh that be an easy one! Me and me ol’ pal Captain Morgan got into a little, well, Captain Morgan, and started a friendly sword fight. I had one too many Captains with the Captain and lo and behold, the real Captain took me eye out! Hence, the patch on me eye!
4) Which mascot would be your SUNY sidekick?
Maritime’s Privateer Pete! We go wayyyyy back!
5) What is your favorite part of New York State?
The Mohawk River! Me fellow swashbucklers in me love to sail down the ol’ Mohawk on a warm summers day waving at all the fine lasses on shore!
6) Have you ever studied abroad?
I’m a pirate, of course I studied abroad!
7) What TV show could you watch all day?
I have several favorites but the ones I most fancy include Gilligan’s Island and Bones… Any show with islands, skulls, or sails float me boat!
8) What is your favorite fast food spot?
Why Arrrrrrrrrby’s of course! They serve the best roast beef sandwiches arrrrrrrround!
9) What song/music do you listen to in order to get hyped for an event?
I break out me iPod and crank up KC & The Sunshine Band with a little shake, shake, shake, shake, shake, shake… Shake your booty! Shake your booty! Rrrrrrrrr!
10) What is the best class you ever took?
That be arrrrrrrrrrithmetic!
Ram-bo – Farmingdale State College
1) Who are you and what do you do?
I am Ram-bo, hear me Baa!
2) Where did you work before you were hired as a mascot?
I tried following the herd, but it wasn’t for me.
3) What is your most embarrassing mascot moment?
I got a little crazy at a party and started doing the Lamb-ada.
4) Which mascot would be your SUNY sidekick?
Stonybrook’s Wolfie the SeaWolf.
5) What is your favorite part of New York State?
My home in the heart of Long Island!
6) Have you ever studied abroad?
Last Summer I hoofed it across Europe!
7) What TV show could you watch all day?
Everybody Loves Ram-Bo!
8) What is your favorite fast food spot?
I love the food on campus from A-Ram-Ark.
9) What song/music do you listen to in order to get hyped for an event?
Ewe Shook Me All Night Long.
10) What is the best class you ever took?
Advanced Head-butting
Hahahahah 😀 This is so much fun 🙂