The State University of New York (SUNY) is a system of public universities in the state of New York. With 64 campuses spread across the state, SUNY is one of the largest and most influential higher education systems in the United States. Each campus within the SUNY system has its own unique identity and traditions, and many of them have their own mascots to represent their school spirit. A mascot plays a significant role in fostering school spirit and creating a sense of community among the students, faculty, and alumni. The mascot represents the collective pride and identity of the school, and often serves as a symbol of unity and support for the athletic teams. It is not uncommon for universities, including those within the SUNY system, to choose mascots that reflect the unique culture, history, or symbolism of their campus or region.
Mascot Madness
Round 1 = March 22 (12:00pm) – March 25 (4:00pm)
Round 2 = March 28 (12:00pm) – March 30 (4:00pm)
Round 3 = April 1 (12:00pm) – April 5 (4:00pm)
Semifinals/Final Four = April 7 (12:00pm) – April 11 (4:00pm)
Finals = April 9 (12:00pm) – April 12-14 (4:00pm)
Hugo the Hawk was born in a nest overlooking Lake Minnewaska in the majestic Shawangunk Mountains of New Paltz. After he learned to fly, he decided to visit the SUNY New Paltz campus to look for some squirrels to eat, and he’s been here ever since!
Hugo represents 15 sports teams at New Paltz. As a hawk, he’s used to animals running away from him when they see him coming, but the humans at New Paltz make Hugo feel right at home. The SUNY Mascot Madness contest is his favorite campus event of the year. He loves all of his fans, but the ones who bring him tasty snakes to eat during half-time are his favorites.
In his spare time, Hugo likes to cook and experiment with recipes. He asked the folks at Hugo’s fine dining restaurant in the Student Union Building if they’d consider putting his deep-fried mouse nuggets with lizard chutney on the menu. We can’t imagine why they turned him down!
Aside from the New Paltz campus, Hugo’s favorite New York State destination is the Catskill Mountain range. Every once in a while, he enjoys escaping from the country by flying down to New York City and catching a Broadway show. His favorite play is “Bye-Bye Birdie.”
Contest Info
Each voter may vote once every 48 hours.
Macros, hidden IP's, etc. are not permitted for use to vote or access contest webpages.
Vote counts may be adjusted at any time by the Generation SUNY Team upon detection of suspicious activity. Any adjustment that is made cannot be appealed. If it is a repeat issue, the mascot will be disqualified with advance notice to the campus point of contact.
The semi-final and final rounds include a Bonus Score: Each time a voter clicks the Tweet Button and brings to the site a unique visitor, you get 1 bonus point. The bonus scores will be updated once each day during these rounds.
Mascot
Red the dragon is a powerful goodwill ambassador who best serves SUNY Oneonta by mingling within the campus community. The Office of Communication and Marketing makes a mascot costume available to campus organizations through an online reservation process accessible to all SUNY Oneonta employees.
It is not uncommon for universities, including those within the SUNY system, to choose mascots that reflect the unique culture, history, or symbolism of their campus or region. While not all SUNY campuses have official mascots, many of them do. The mascots vary widely in design, from animals to mythical creatures to inanimate objects.
Mascot Process, Guidelines and Responsibilities
- Red may be used only in connection with SUNY Oneonta-related events. The mascot may only be used for the reason for use/event stated on the SUNY Oneonta Mascot Request Form, which initiates the reservation process.
- Red is generally available for pick-up from/return to an Office of Communication and Marketing staff member in IRC from Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. when SUNY Oneonta is open. Please contact Lisa Miller at 607-436-3317 to coordinate.
- Red is fierce, but not indestructible. Those who request the mascot are responsible for the care of the costume throughout their reservation period, and its timely return.
- Our mascot comes in a carrying bag, along with dressing instructions and cooling inserts that need to be immersed in cold water for 30 minutes immediately prior to their use. Red also includes an onboard exhaust fan that requires eight AA batteries, which will be supplied. It is challenging for one person to carry the mascot and its accouterments. Having an assistant, especially when picking up the costume, is recommended.
- The Office of Communication and Marketing does not provide staff to wear the mascot costume, which was designed to be worn by a person of medium build whose height is 5'10", or help transport it.
- Mascot costumes require special maintenance and cleaning by off-site vendors. Because of this, and the potential for competing requests for the costume, Communication and Marketing cannot guarantee Red’s availability.
Some campuses have chosen their mascot based on local wildlife or nature. For example, the University at Buffalo, known as the "Bulls," has a bull as its mascot, which represents power, strength, and resilience. Other campuses have chosen mascots that are specific to their region or history. The University at Albany, for instance, has the "Great Dane" as its mascot, which pays homage to the historical ties between Albany and the Dutch settlers who brought Great Danes to the region. Mascots are not limited to sports events; they often make appearances at school spirit rallies, parades, and other campus events. They serve as ambassadors of school pride and help enhance the overall college experience. Mascots are also frequently utilized in marketing and promotional materials for the university, representing the institution's values and attracting prospective students. In conclusion, mascots play a vital role in representing the school spirit and community of SUNY campuses. They serve as symbols of unity, pride, and support for the institutions and their athletic teams. Each campus within the SUNY system has the freedom to choose a mascot that reflects their unique identity, whether it be related to local wildlife, history, or regional symbolism. Regardless of their design, mascots contribute to the vibrancy and sense of belonging on SUNY campuses..
Reviews for "The Evolution of the Suny Mascot: From Traditional to Modern"
1. John - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed with the Suny mascot. It felt like they put no effort into designing it. It was a generic looking character with no real personality or unique traits. The costume was poorly made and the colors were faded. Overall, it was just a lackluster mascot that did nothing to excite or inspire the crowd. I was definitely not impressed.
2. Sarah - 2 stars
The Suny mascot was a letdown for me. It was confusing and didn't seem to align with the school's identity or values. The costume looked outdated and the design was questionable. It lacked creativity and didn't create any sense of excitement or enthusiasm. I believe the school could have done a much better job in creating a mascot that truly represents their spirit and energizes the crowd.
3. Michael - 1 star
The Suny mascot was simply underwhelming. It lacked any sort of appeal or charm. The character design was mediocre at best and the costume looked cheaply made. It didn't have any memorable features or attributes that made it stand out from other mascots. Overall, it left me feeling disappointed and unimpressed. I expected more from Suny.
4. Emily - 2 stars
The Suny mascot failed to capture my attention or engage the crowd. It felt like an afterthought, with a design that lacked creativity and originality. The costume seemed uncomfortable and poorly fitted on the person inside it. I believe the school could benefit from reevaluating their mascot and investing in something more exciting and appealing for their students and fans.
5. David - 1 star
The Suny mascot was a huge disappointment. It was unoriginal, with a design that felt like it was copied from countless other mascots. The lack of effort put into its creation was evident, and it didn't add any value to the school spirit or events. The mascot failed to create any enthusiasm or bring the crowd together. Overall, it was a missed opportunity to have a mascot that could truly represent the school and create a sense of pride among the students.