- Where are you from?
I was born at the San Diego Zoo. I was part of a multi-player trade in the 1970s. When the Buffalo Braves NBA franchise became the San Diego Clippers, I was part of the deal that went back to Buffalo. Looking for work, I went to Buffalo State and fell in love.
- How many teams do you represent?
19 varsity teams!
- How were you chosen to be school mascot?
The school colors were black and orange and after a school contest, “Bengals” was the selected moniker. I got the job because I was told I am “easy on the eyes”.
- Do you have any friends that are mascots?
Not really. I have a few that I would consider “rivals”. I occasionally go clubbing with Sabretooth (Buffalo Sabres), but he is a little too big for his britches.
- What is your favorite campus event?
The sport doesn’t matter to me. I just love a Buffalo State victory, especially during a Bengals Supporting Bengals event.
- What is your favorite food?
Anything from Tim Hortons!
- What is your favorite television or movie animal?
I really liked that “big cat” in that Life of Pi movie. I also think Garfield is hilarious.
- What do you like to do for fun?
I just love catching a game. Nothing beats the excitement of a Buffalo State victory. At the end of the night when everyone has gone home, however, I have been known to have some friends come to Kissinger Pool for some midnight skinny dipping.
- What’s it like to be a mascot?
Hot! I love making kids smile, but it can be a drag when people always pull on my tail.
- What do you consider the ideal fan?
Somebody who supports the team, win or lose. I like the fans that cheer loud for our teams and not against the other team. Of course the ideal fan should also wear lots of face paint!
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- Where are you from?
Ahoy, Mateys! I was born way back in 1760 aboard a smuggling vessel that was headed to New York Harbor from the Bahamas. My father was the captain of the vessel and raised me on the waters of the Long Island Sound, where we quickly got involved with the American way of living. We stayed predominately on the waters of the Long Island Sound and had a big role privateering on the seas to help the new country defeat the British in the American Revolution. Since then, I have resided on the many ships of SUNY Maritime College, the first of which was the USS St. Mary’s that was in New York Harbor back in 1874, when the school was founded. Now, I have quarters on the Training Ship Empire State VI in Throggs Neck, NY. From there, I patrol the waters of the Long Island Sound and the East River, keeping the SUNY Maritime College campus safe.
- How many teams do you represent?
I proudly represent 19 teams.
- How were you chosen to be school mascot?
On December 12, 1952, a student wrote in our school newspaper “The Porthole” about the idea of calling the sports teams the Privateers. The students then voted me in as the official mascot of the school. I was ecstatic!
- Do you have any friends that are mascots?
Aye, in fact I do! I have a good buddy that I love to go sailing with – the Dolphin from the College of Mount Saint Vincent. He’s such a terrific navigator. And, alas, for as many friends as I have, I also have quite a few foes. My nemesis is the Gator from Sage, he’s always snapping away at me! ARRGH! Not to mention those Buccaneers from Massachusetts Maritime Academy and the Mariners of U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point and Maine Maritime!
- What is your favorite campus event?
The easy answer would be Homecoming. Anyone who has been out to sea as much as I have loves coming home! Add in seeing all the old alumni at our annual breakfast, seeing the student-athletes compete that weekend and a great football game – the event is a favorite for many! However, there is only one thing that I love more and that is Maritime’s Summer Sea Term. It’s my favorite time of year. Getting back on the training ship with the Regiment of Cadets for an entire summer on the high seas can’t be beat! Not only do I get to work with and teach my favorite cadets, but I get to go to so many of my favorite ports like the Strait of Gibraltar or Dublin, Ireland and visit some old friends!
- What is your favorite food?
Who doesn’t love a good “Mariner’s Delight”? Some shrimp, scallops, a nice salmon and, of course, LOBSTER! There was also a time when I had to rely on limes to fight off scurvy – that wretched disease! Another favorite for when I’m on out the high seas, I doubt you land-lubbers would enjoy it, is Pickled Meat. What. A. Fantastic. Meal!
- What is your favorite television or movie animal?
My favorite movie animal is that pesky little monkey from Pirates of the Caribbean, Jack. I really enjoy his antics. Some of my other favorites are Nemo, Sebastian the lobster from the Little Mermaid and the legendary TV-turned-movie star Flipper (He’s faster than lightning)!
- What do you like to do for fun?
Well, there’s a beach volleyball court on campus, so I like to play some volleyball with my mates on the sand court and then grab some grub on the mess deck. Then I like to return to my quarters and load my photos that I take of the Throgs Neck Bridge and the Manhattan Skyline onto snapfish. Then I spend my evenings checking my account on PlentyOfFish.com to see if I have any dates lined up.
- What’s it like to be a mascot?
It’s tough work, but it’s a labor of love! It’s not easy looking this good all the time! The passion and connection to the Regiment of Cadets is what keeps me going! It’s nice to be on land for long periods of time, since my big head makes it difficult to maneuver on the tight quarters of the ship, but I make it work when I need to!
- What do you consider the ideal fan?
My ideal fan bleeds Maritime Blue and Privateer Red, whether they’re at sea or on land! I also like to see the die-hard male fans that come out and brave the elements shirtless with phrases written upon their chests. It reminds me of the men I saw working on the decks of the ship when I was busy privateering in my earlier years! Our fans carry their love of SUNY Maritime College to many ports around the world and throughout the seven seas.
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#24 SUNY Maritime Privateers