Big Blue Crowned National Mascot of the Year
Old Dominion University mascot Big Blue has won the title of Capital One Mascot of the Year.
Big Blue was officially crowned on Saturday, Jan. 1, during the nationally televised Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Fla., besting a talented pool of 15 other All-America mascots and bringing both glory and $20,000 to ODU's mascot program.
"We are immensely proud of Big Blue being named the Capital One Mascot of the Year," said ODU President John R. Broderick. "His victory not only demonstrates his hard work, but also the passion of students, alumni and supporters of our university. This is a wonderful honor and we are thrilled."
From Aug. 31 to Dec.13, Big Blue fans cast their votes online and via phone texts for their favorite mascot. The university launched a "Vote for Big Blue" campaign using Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and organized highly successful mass voting sessions, called "vote mobs." Students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of the university worked together to keep Big Blue undefeated throughout the competition, earning him nearly 2 million votes and ultimately the title of Mascot of the Year.
Big Blue faced fierce competition from fellow mascots such as Brutus Buckeye of Ohio State University, Big Red of Western Kentucky University, Mike the Tiger of Louisiana State University and The Duck of the University of Oregon. In the final, Big Blue squared off against Paydirt Pete, the mustachioed miner from the University of Texas-El Paso.
"In the nine years of the program, this has been one of the most memorable and spirited campaigns for the Capital One Mascot of the Year," said Roger Ferguson, vice president of advertising and sports sponsorships at Capital One. "We are very proud of all of the mascots who campaigned hard throughout the regular season and congratulate Big Blue on his victory."
Since 2002, Capital One has helped shine the spotlight on these unsung heroes of the college gridiron. Each participating university gets $5,000 for its mascot program, and the winning school receives an additional $15,000 scholarship to help fund its mascot program.