SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC NEWS) – Teams and mascots go hand in hand, but the significance of mascots goes far beyond a cute character. For Syracuse the mascot comes in the form of a friendly, huggable orange who goes by the name of Otto.
Syracuse senior Maya Vidal, like many students, loves Otto the Orange.
“Otto is just like the sweetest, most caring, little ball of fuzz,” Vidal said. “Like Otto’s just like so cute and so sweet, and you like can’t help but be happy when Otto’s around.”
Marketing expert and professor Dave Meluni described Otto as just what teams are looking for in a team mascot.
“From a marketing standpoint, the sooner you get kids to build an affinity with something, right, they will continue to follow that team or that brand from a loyalty, or we talk about it in class, an attitude, and a loyalty piece. I think that’s the most important part,” said Meluni.
In the case of Syracuse University, from 1931 to 1995 Syracuse struggled to find a mascot that fit. After many failed attempts, the chancellor at the time appointed an 18-member committee of students, faculty and staff to recommend a mascot. They narrowed down the options to a wolf, lion or an orange. But in December of 1995 the orange prevailed and Otto the Orange was born.
To Meluni one of the reasons Otto has made such a big impact is because the Orange is an incredibly unique mascot.
“One of the coolest things about Syracuse is we’re the only place, we’re the only place that you can on your Instagram, just put the orange emoji and everyone knows what that is,” said Meluni.
To mascot coach Julie Walas this brand loyalty and Otto’s success all begins with the students who are Otto.
“It’s a fun bunch of students, they are just selfless and humble to want to do this for the community,” said Walas.
Vidal knows this firsthand as she was Otto the Orange for 2 years.
“It’s like so infectious, when you get to see people be so happy when Otto comes into a room, just as a spectator. You can’t help but be happy as well,” said Vidal.
Mascots help the marketing, and a winning team certainly helps too.
