SEBASTIAN THE IBIS ADDED TO 2010 ALL-AMERICA MASCOT TEAM
Sept. 8, 2010
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Coral Gables, Fla – University of Miami mascot “Sebastian the Ibis” received one of the highest honors in his field when he was named today the ninth annual All-America Mascot Team.
This year’s team represents the breadth of college football teams and their fans — ranging from the swagger of Miami’s Sebastian the Ibis to the mononymous mascots Smokey (University of Tennessee), Duck (University of Oregon) and Testudo (University of Maryland).
“It’s a great honor to be named to the All-America Mascot Team,” said Sebastian through a mascot interpreter. “I look forward to representing my school with honor and bringing home the scholarship funds on January 1.” Members of the 2010 All-America Mascot Team include:
Sebastian the Ibis of the University of Miami
Joe Bruin of the University of California Los Angeles
Bearcat of the University of Cincinnati
Joe Vandal of the University of Idaho
Mike the Tiger of Louisiana State University
Testudo of the University of Maryland
Goldy Gopher of the University of Minnesota
Monte of the University of Montana
Brutus Buckeye of The Ohio State University
Big Blue of Old Dominion University
Duck of the University of Oregon
Smokey of the University of Tennessee
Paydirt Pete of the University of Texas El Paso
The Bird of the U.S. Air Force Academy
Mr. C of Vanderbilt University
Big Red of Western Kentucky University
With their cartoonish, oversized heads, the All-American mascots will compete throughout the 2010 college football season to claim the coveted title of “National Mascot of the Year”. Each participating school’s mascot receives $5,000 for its university mascot program, and the National Mascot of the Year receives an additional $15,000 scholarship to help fund its school’s mascot program. The winner will be announced at halftime of the Capital One Bowl game, airing on ESPN at 1 pm EST from Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 1, 2011.
Immediately following the announcement, the nation’s largest mascot coalition — the United Coalition of College Mascots (UnitedMascots.com) — issued a statement calling for fans to support their mascots, who deserve their day in the sun (with water breaks at regular 15 minute intervals, of course).
“We appreciate the longstanding support for our way of life,” the University of Montana mascot Monte, chairman of the United Coalition of College Mascots, said through a mascot interpreter. “We work just as hard as the athletes we represent. And when the games are over, we also head to class and hit the books, despite our challenges fitting into classroom seats.”
The National Mascot of the Year is determined through fan voting. Each week throughout the college football season fans visit capitalonebowl.com to vote for their favorite All-American Mascot. Voting consists of 12 weekly head-to-furry-head match ups between the All-Americans, with fans being able to vote daily at capitalonebowl.com for their favorite mascots. The mascots with the best win/loss records face off in online playoffs starting November 22, and the winner will be pronounced National Mascot of the Year on January 1, 2011 during the Capital One Bowl.
“We’re proud to help recognize and celebrate the hard work of these unsung heroes,” said Pam Girardo. “And with the University of Cincinnati’s Bearcat returning to defend his title, we expect a spirited effort by all 16 mascots looking to be named the Mascot of the Year.”
Fans of school mascots that were not included in this year’s Mascot Challenge can log on to capitalonebowl.com and, after voting on this year’s matchups, can nominate their own school’s mascot for a chance to win $1,000 toward their Mascot Program and an opportunity to compete in the 2011 Mascot Challenge. Each voter can vote an unlimited amount of times for this year’s mascots.
