- Where are you from?
Ellsworth Eagle from Brockport, NY – I grew up in the Adirondack Mountains but made my way to Brockport as a young eaglet and have been there since 1950 when the excitement of Brockport Athletics started to take form and the need for an official mascot was recognized.
- How many teams do you represent?
I am currently in charge of 23 varsity teams at Brockport but my wings spread all the way to Admissions as the official greeter for all Open House events and the office of the President as I am one of the official ground-breaking representatives at all of the new construction projects on campus.
- How were you chosen to be the school mascot?
It was similar to the Miss America pageant in the respect that there were several qualified candidates and a rigorous selection process. In the end, it was the student body that made the final call and I was given the name Ellsworth since it was the middle name of the most famous football coach at Brockport – Mr. Robert Ellsworth Boozer.
- Do you have any friends that are Mascots?
Well of course I do. Many of my friends from the Adirondack Mountains were selected at different schools with my friends Bear and Cardinal still working at Potsdam and Plattsburgh. I’m not sure where the Kangaroo guy from Canton came from but I am interested in being friends with someone from down-under. I am not really good friends with the Red Dragon brothers from Cortland and Oneonta – they have a rather unfriendly temperament so I don’t have a burning desire to get to know those two more than I already do.
- What is you favorite campus event?
By all means it would have to be commencement. It brings tears to my eyes to see the young adults that arrived just four years earlier and young freshmen go off on their own. It is similar to when my mother told me it was time to leave the nest and take off on my own.
- What is your favorite food?
Seafood has always been one of my favorites and I have never been a big fan of chicken wings (for obvious reasons), but since moving to Western NY and the Rochester area – I have become a huge fan of the Garbage Plate. Created in Rochester and consisting of two hamburgers, home fries, mac salad, hot sauce and onions, it really hits the spot especially with the college crowd.
- What is your favorite television or movie animal?
I have always been fond of my fellow birds – so I would have to say the AFLAC Duck. It is about time one of us birds has been given the respect it deserves for doing so much for our human friends. I mean, how are people expected to pay for all those extra expenses with they are hurt unless the AFLAC Duck was around to save the day?
- What do you do for fun?
Great question since there are so many fun things to do in Western NY. But buy far, the most fun is hanging out with all of my college student friends at Brockport home games cheering on the Golden Eagles. It doesn’t matter if it’s with 5,000 fans at a home football game, or rooting on the defending National Champion Gymnastics team or even a smaller crowd at a home tennis match – cheering on the Golden Eagles with other fans is the most fun anyone could have.
- What’s it like to be a mascot?
Another good question. I love my job because I get to meet so many new students every year with a whole new class of freshmen each Fall. The students have so much energy and excitement that it keeps me feeling young to be around them. They continue to teach me new things every year and keep me up to date on the latest trends. Just a few years ago, they helped me start my own Facebook page and I am even on Twitter now sending out some famous Golden Eagle tweets (how appropriate)!
- What do you consider the ideal fan?
Fans come in all shapes and sizes but my ideal fan bleeds Green and Gold! They cheer loud and Proud for the Brockport Golden Eagles to celebrate our success and give the teams encouragement to do better if the result of the game is not in our favor.
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- Where are you from?
Morrisville, NY
- How many teams do you represent?
15
- How were you chosen to be school mascot?
I was identified for intimidating stature, brute strength, determined leadership and steely resolve as a colt while wandering the bucolic fields surrounding Morrisville State College. For years many attempted to rein me in, but I was young, wild and had to be free. But, once I saw the humans at Morrisville State College and I shared many characteristics, I decided to join them. I have to be honest, many of them are horse lovers and the palatial facilities they have for us horses didn’t hurt either. Now I stand with my fellow mustangs, human and horse alike, to let visiting teams know that we mean business.
- Do you have any friends that are mascots?
Oh sure. Being a mascot is like joining an exclusive club. When I get some free time I like to visit with Wildcat at SunyIT and Red Dragon at Suny Oneonta. We get together and discuss things non-mascots wouldn’t know anything about. They are great friends, that is, until our schools are competing against each other. When it is competition time we set aside our friendship.
- What is your favorite campus event?
Mustang Weekend- Hello! It’s named after me of course. This fall event brings thousands of students, friends, family members, alumni and community members out to celebrate the new school year. We have a bbq, a homecoming football game, alumni reunions, a cruise-in and a carnival to name a few. Last year I zip lined through the carnival surrounded by all of my campus friends!
- What is your favorite food?
Pizza! It is a great break from my usual diet of grass and grain. I’d love to enjoy our campus-produced ice cream, Molly’s Choice but I’m lactose intolerant. TMI?
- What is your favorite television or movie animal?
Fillies, gotta love the fillies. Did you see War Horse? Have tissues ready is all I am saying.
- What do you like to do for fun?
Run. I could run for days. There is nothing like the feeling of the fresh country air flowing through your mane.
- What’s it like to be a mascot?
Being a mascot is being free to show the world just how passionate you are about what is important to you. I see the humans around me are often reserved in their day-to-day activities. I try to show them that when you are at a Morrisville State College game you are free to let loose and have some fun. I try to show by example (and by that I mean getting a little crazy) that a mustangs game is an outlet for showing your school pride.
- What do you consider the ideal fan?
I really enjoy when the whole family comes out to our competitions, especially the younger fans. Their passion and excitement is unmatched. I try to make sure that everyone has a great time, but I focus on the next generation of mustangs.
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#2 Brockport Golden Eagles
#18 Morrisville State College Mustangs