Dec. 28, 2010
ODU's Big Blue close to winning Mascot of the Yearby Laura Watkins-Virginian Pilot-Norfolk Compass...
The first thing people notice is his size - a colossus with hulking shoulders and solid, powerful legs. His forehead is broad, and fixed between that and his sharp-toothed jaw are two startlingly soft chocolate eyes. His large body is surprisingly agile .
Though he isn't new in town - he's been a familiar Norfolk resident since his days cheering in the Old Dominion Fieldhouse - he's the new face in the game.
He, of course, is Big Blue, the blond-furred Old Dominion mascot who sports lively moves and a signature silver and navy crown. And the game is the final round of the Capital One National Mascot of the Year contest, in which 16 college mascots from across the country battled for school spirit glory - and $20,000 toward their school's mascot program. Fans were able to cast unlimited ballots online or text unlimited votes for their favorite mascots, who were then ranked and sent to the playoffs.
After a few weeks of voting , Big Blue delivered a powerful punch for a mascot who has just recently reached a level of national acclaim.
Facing off against such competitors as Smokey, the feisty bluetick coonhound of the University of Tennessee, and Mike the Tiger, Louisiana State University's mascot of more than 100 years, Old Dominion's own emerged with little more damage than some matted fur.
He reached the final round, where he is opponent was no pushover. Paydirt Pete, a miner on a mission with a black moustache and formidable pickaxe, was no stranger to riling up a crowd. He's had decades to cultivate a fighting presence at the University of Texas at El Paso football games, leaving Norfolk to wonder: Is Big Blue brawny enough to jump into the ring?
But w hat Big Blue lacks in practiced sparring he makes up for in eagerness, enthusiasm and a huge fan base. The new kid in town has garnered thousands of votes from supporters. M ore than 770,000 votes were cast in his favor when he defeated The Duck from the University of Oregon in the semifinal round .
Perhaps the biggest buzz came from the online community. Big Blue's Facebook page, with more than 7,000 fans, hyped his participation in the contest with links to the Capital One Bowl ballot page and videos encouraging fans to vote.
The lion himself even posted status updates , including this playful poke at his competition: "Nobody goes to college to be proud of their Miner."
ODU athletic director Wood Selig sees Big Blue's success in the mascot competition as the result of teamwork between the university and its fan base.
"This personifies the level of spirit that exists with ODU alumni and throughout this campus, this community," he said.
For Evan Newton, a graduating senior and captain of the ODU men's soccer team, Big Blue's shot at the mascot title is not just a showcase of school pride; it's a chance to bring attention to the ODU athletic department.
"People don't realize that most all of our athletic programs are top in the country," Newton said. "They don't put ODU in that upper echelon of schools. They think, 'Oh, it's the school down the street.'"
Although voting for the contest has ended, the winning mascot won't be revealed until Jan. 1, during the Capital One Bowl on ESPN.
Newton is confident Big Blue will take the title.
"I think he'll win just because he's a great looking mascot," he said. "He's a pretty handsome lion, you know?"
Laura Watkins, 446-2640, laura.watkins@pilotonline.com [1]