MASCOT PROFILE
Privateer Pete
SUNY Maritime College
Share your support for your favorite mascot!
- Where are you from?
Born at sea, I found my way on board the old sloop-of-war ship St. Mary’s in 1874 when the country’s first maritime college, the New York Nautical School, was formed in New York City. That school later became SUNY Maritime College. I have spent my years residing on the school’s many training ships, from the Newport to all of the “Empire State” ships. I now have quarters on the T.S. Empire State VI in Throggs Neck, NY. From here, 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?
17 great teams! 9 men’s teams – Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Ice Hockey, Lacrosse, Rowing, Soccer and Swimming & Diving; 5 women’s teams – Cross Country, Lacrosse, Soccer, Swimming & Diving and Volleyball; and 3 co-ed/mixed teams – Mixed Rifle, Dinghy Sailing and Offshore Sailing! - How were you chosen to be school mascot?
The great Maritime students voted me as the school’s mascot after one brilliant lad wrote a fascinating piece in our school newspaper “The Porthole” on December 12, 1952, suggesting that we call our teams the “Privateers.” A real no-brainer there! I was so honored! - Do you have any friends that are mascots?
Aye, I have many friends and also some foes. Ever hear of Lafitte the InstiGator? He’s the mascot of the Privateers down at the University of New Orleans. I spent time with him on Bourbon Street when Maritime’s Summer Sea Term visited New Orleans this past summer! Also, the Dolphin from fellow Skyline Conference school Mount Saint Vincent is an old friend of mine. We go way back and he helped navigate me through some great expeditions! Those Buccaneers from Mass. Maritime and Mariners from both Kings Point and Maine Maritime are tolerable from time to time! We have great rivalries and never let each other forget who wins our matchups when out on the high sea! Also, I used to be good friends with Hugo the Hawk from up at SUNY New Paltz, but there’s been some bad blood since he ousted me from last year’s Mascot Madness tournament! - What is your favorite campus event?
I love getting up bright and early every morning and joining our Regiment of Cadets in formation. It’s such a great way to start the day! I also love Homecoming Week and seeing all our alumni come back to pay a visit. But my favorite thing about Maritime by far is Summer Sea Term. How lucky are we to spend our summers on the high seas visiting many of the world’s famous ports? And on top of the explorations, the students get the best hands on training of working on a ship! What’s better than that? - What is your favorite television or movie animal?
Flipper! He’s faster than lightning! I also enjoy Sebastian the Lobster, Nemo and the monkey from Pirates of the Caribbean. I encountered JAWS the Great White Shark more than once. Thankfully he’s no longer a threat since he was blown to pieces! - What is your favorite food?
Nearby City Island has a ton of seafood restaurants. I always get my “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! - What do you consider the ideal fan?
My ideal fan bleeds Maritime Red and Privateer Blue, whether they’re at sea or on land! Our fans carry their love of SUNY Maritime College to many ports around the world and throughout the seven seas. - 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 like to do for fun?
Well, I’ve spent a lot of time training for this year’s Mascot Madness tournament! I’ve been running around our beautiful, scenic campus and I’ve also been getting my workouts in on the field and in the fitness center. One of my biggest hobbies is photography. You should see the pictures I’ve taken from campus of the Throgs Neck Bridge, the Manhattan Skyline and the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets! I load those up on my SnapFish account!
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