The 5th annual Mascot Madness tournament is nearly complete. This year we had 38 mascots competing against one another to determine who New York’s favorite college mascot is in 2017. All participating mascots hwere randomly placed into four competition brackets, ranked by the number of athletic programs they each represent. Your votes helped to decide who advanced in each round to eventually get us to this point.
Now, we’ve reached the Finals! Through four rounds up to this point, we’ve seen tens of thousands of votes come through to fill out our bracket. There’s been upsets and surprises that got us to this championship match between defending champion Victor E. Knight of SUNY Geneseo and first time finalist Oakie the Acorn of SUNY ESF. Its sure to be a highly competitive championship match. But remember, only you can decide who the winner will be.
The Finals runs from April 3 at 12:00 to April 5 at 4:00.
Athletics at SUNY
In athletics statewide, SUNY has more than 85 NCAA Division I, 290 NCAA Division III, and 385 NJCAA athletic teams, as well as hundreds of non-competitive athletics clubs. At SUNY, there are opportunities for all who have a talent and passion for athletics at SUNY. And with the right work ethic in place, championships and accomplishments that bring athletes to the national stage can be achieved.
Our mascots work so hard cheering on all of our SUNY student athletes all year long. With this competition, we have our opportunity to cheer them on and recognize them for all the hard work they do to lift our campuses and students across New York State and beyond. So let them know!
* Voting for the 2017 Mascot Madness tournament will be conducted with vote verification. Each voter will need to supply an email address with which they will be sent a confirmation email to submit their votes through. This will allow the voting to be reviewed for consistency in a direct way. All votes will be limited to one per 12 hours, after which a user can resubmit a new vote in the same game again. Email addresses will not be used for marketing or addition to any mailing lists, but simply for voter verification. All addresses will be deleted at the conclusion of the tournament.
Championship
Get to know the finalists:
ESF – Oakie Acorn
- What is your name?
Oakie Acorn
- What school are you from?
The College of Environmental Science and Forestry
- Favorite place to hang out in your campus?
I love hanging out in the College’s Gateway Center with all the students. There are so many interesting people to talk to and study with.
- One fact about your school/campus that most people don’t know?
We have a team called the Woodsmen that participate in traditional timber sports – things like the cross-cut competition and the pulp toss. You should come to a meet sometime.
- Favorite on-campus eatery?
The Trailhead. They have something for everyone – from bacon-ivore to vegan, you can find something for every appetite and diet.
- Cool thing to do in the surrounding area?
You can hike at Green Lakes State Park or go for a run at Onondaga Lake Park or check out the Finger Lakes. (Acorns like to be outside.)
- One superpower you would want?
Did you ever watch Captain Planet? I would love to have his superpowers – flight, super-strength and the ability to rearrange my molecular structure into the various elements and powers of nature all to protect our environment.
- Which of the Seven Dwarfs is most like you?
I wish there was an “Earthy” dwarf, but in lieu of that I would be Happy. How could I pick any other as I’m surrounded by students who have the shared goal of improving our world?
- What is your favorite pizza topping?
They remind me of my forest home.
- Which mascot would you team up with in a three-legged race?
SUNY Canton’s Roody Roo. That guy can move, and jump and plain old go.
Follow: @ESFOakie
Geneseo – Victor E. Knight (defending champion!)
- What is your name?
Victor E. Knight, the SUNY Geneseo Mascot.
- What school are you from?
SUNY Geneseo — Go Knights!
- Favorite place to hang out in your campus?
The MacVittie College Union due to my gregarious nature; however, I also spend a lot of time the in the Milne Library because I am a lifelong leaner.
- One fact about your school/campus that most people don’t know?
We have the Seuss Spruce! This pine tree in center of campus was warped into its current funky shape shortly before Dr. Seuss’ death in the winter of 1991.
- Favorite on-campus eatery?
Max Market in Letchworth Dining Complex because it is open late, and I am a “Knight owl.”
- Cool thing to do in the surrounding area?
Explore the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park. It is one of the most picturesque areas in the Eastern U.S. with the mighty Genesee River and three major waterfalls it is a really “cool” thing to do.
- One superpower you would want?
Omnilinguilism — I would love to have the ability to understand any form of language and chat with anyone no matter their language. I could also ace CHINESE 202 and ARABIC 102.
- Which of the Seven Dwarfs is most like you?
Doc because someday I’d like to pursue a doctorate in mediaeval philosophy.
- What is your favorite pizza topping?
Cheese! Dairy is big in Western NY and it’s yummy.
- Which mascot would you team up with in a three-legged race?
Lucky Bronco from SUNY Delhi — I like horses, and I think we would have a great chance at coming in first.
Follow: @TheGeneseoKnight
OAKIE IS A GOD
A school of > 2,000 enrolled students beat a school of 5,500 enrolled students within the last 15 minutes, by suddenly jumping up almost a whole percentage point? R E C O U N T