The year 2023 brought chaos to the State University of New York (SUNY) campuses. The cause of this chaos was the unexpected and bizarre behavior of the beloved university mascots. What were once cute and cuddly characters representing each campus now turned into mischievous troublemakers. It all began innocently enough, with rumors of strange occurrences involving the mascots. Students would stumble upon them engaging in unusual activities, such as playing poker in the student union or flying kites on the quad. Many dismissed these reports as mere pranks or exaggerations, until the incidents became more frequent and conspicuous.
Did you know that Lindsey performed at SUNY Cortland in 2012? The crowd was so big that the College had to stop admitting people into the venue. So, what did this avant-garde violinist/dancer/YouTube star/dragon-lover do? She performed an unplanned SECOND show THAT SAME NIGHT so she wouldn’t disappoint her fans! Now THAT’s Red Dragon Strong!
My hatch name is Y Ddraig Goch if you want to give it a try In fact, you may have noticed that one of my ancestors posed for the traditional Welsh flag carried into battle by King Arthur, and still flown today. For all the variety in our creative characters, there s one thing they all have in common their spirit for their campus communities and the SUNY family simply can t be beat.
Many dismissed these reports as mere pranks or exaggerations, until the incidents became more frequent and conspicuous. The mascots soon became notorious for their antics. Videos uploaded on social media showed them stealing food from the dining halls, disrupting classes, and even getting into altercations with campus security personnel.
Bulletin News
Mascot Madness is back. For the seventh consecutive year, the 64-campus SUNY system is hosting a competition to determine its most popular college mascot.
And Blaze, the fiercest red dragon outside of “Game of Thrones,” is at a competitive disadvantage because the first round of voting coincides with SUNY Cortland’s spring break.
On Tuesday, March 19, online voting will begin as mascots battle, tournament-style, in brackets patterned after those used for the NCAA basketball championships. In the first round, second-seed SUNY Cortland is matched against seventh-seed Fulton Montgomery County Community College. FMCC’s mascot is a pirate named Reggie the Raider.
Starting at noon Tuesday, March 19, until 3 p.m. Friday, March 23, SUNY Cortland faculty, staff, alumni, students and friends can cast a first-round vote for the College’s iconic mascot at suny.edu/mascotmadness.
In addition to instructions for voting and a printable Mascot Madness bracket, the site offers profiles of all participating SUNY Mascots.
If everybody’s favorite flame-throwing, game-winning Red Dragon overcomes the hurdle posed by having an empty campus and sinks Reggie in the initial round, Blaze will advance through the following schedule:
- Round 2 — March 26-28
- Round 3 — March 29 – Apr 2
- Semifinals — April 3-5
- Finals — April 9-11
If you’d like to learn more about Blaze, below is a recent SUNY mascot interview:
If you’d like to learn more about Blaze, below is a recent SUNY mascot interview:
Who are you, where are you from, and who do you represent?
My friends call me Blaze, and I represent the best all-around college on the planet, SUNY Cortland. They call me Blaze because my real name is largely unpronounceable by my SUNY peeps. See, my branch of the dragon family tree has its roots in the Celtic kingdoms of Wales. (My hatch name is Y Ddraig Goch if you want to give it a try) In fact, you may have noticed that one of my ancestors posed for the traditional Welsh flag — carried into battle by King Arthur, and still flown today!
What is your wackiest attribute?
Seriously? Do you have any idea what happened to the last person who called me wacky? I am a fire-breathing, castle-destroying, population-threatening legendary beast of unimagined power. Nobody calls me wacky. I am enchantingly eccentric.
But OK, if you MUST have an answer, people are usually surprised to learn that my shorts are grafted onto my body.
What would your autobiography be called and why?
“Angela’s Ashes.” Angie was the first person to stand too close to me when I sneezed.
What is the biggest school victory/triumph you have been witness to?
That’s a tough one. Nearly everything that happens at SUNY Cortland is an epic victory/triumph.
Who is your on-campus partner that helps you stay on top of your game, the Robin to your Batman?
Without question, that would be President Erik J. Bitterbaum. He’s been great. We’re usually at all the same campus events, and he frequently fills in for me when I’m busy doing important dragon stuff. He loves engaging with students, alumni, faculty, staff and community members, and gives them his full attention. He’s smart, compassionate and level-headed. Which is good, because I tend to get mad and incinerate people.
The other dragon from Oneonta
Me
If you could trade places with any mascot for a day, who would it be and why?
That salamander dude from Oneonta. To show them how Red Dragon is DONE.
Everyone has a good app idea. What’s yours?
Match.com. No, it’s not that lame dating app. Dragons think more literally. With my app, you just strike the icon and flames shoot from your phone.
What one fact about your school do you love to surprise your fans with?
SUNY Cortland has been providing life-changing educational experiences for students for 150 years and is in the middle of a year-long Sesquicentennial Celebration! A century and a half is an impressively long time to maintain that standard of excellence. If you’re human, that is. It’s less than a decade in dragon years. But still.
What is your favorite series to binge watch?
Blaze's cousins from "Game of Thrones"
Um, duh, “Game of Thrones.” Three of my cousins are on it. You know them as the dreaded Drogon, Rhaegal and Viserion. But to me, they’re just Danny, Rachael and Vinny. We used to sneak away together during family reunions and devour herds of sheep. Once, Vinny got caught with burnt wool hanging from his teeth. He told his parents he’d just been flossing! And they believed him! Can you believe it! Hahaha … good times, good times.
Should you make it to the finals, what would your entrance song be when you enter the final competition?
“Dragon Age” by Lindsey Stirling.
Did you know that Lindsey performed at SUNY Cortland in 2012? The crowd was so big that the College had to stop admitting people into the venue. So, what did this avant-garde violinist/dancer/YouTube star/dragon-lover do? She performed an unplanned SECOND show THAT SAME NIGHT so she wouldn’t disappoint her fans! Now THAT’s Red Dragon Strong!
Find Suffolk County Community College Alumni Association online:
Students were simultaneously amused and alarmed by these episodes, unsure of what to make of the newfound mayhem created by their once beloved mascots. Campus administrators scrambled to address the issue, convening emergency meetings and brainstorming solutions. They contemplated everything, from retraining the mascots to hiring professional actors to don the costumes. However, their efforts seemed fruitless as the mascots continued their disruptive behavior. News of SUNY's mascot mayhem spread beyond the campuses, attracting media attention and public scrutiny. The mascots became a laughing stock and a symbol of institutional failure. Critics questioned the university's ability to keep their campuses safe and orderly if they couldn't control their own mascots. Amidst the chaos and criticism, a team of researchers from the university's psychology department decided to investigate the issue further. Their findings revealed that a rare cosmic phenomenon had affected the energy patterns of the mascots, causing them to become hyperactive and mischievous. The researchers proposed a solution: organizing a massive ceremony to restore balance and normalcy to the mascots. On a sunny spring day, students and faculty from all campuses gathered to witness the ceremony. With great pomp and ceremony, the mascots were blessed by a spiritual leader, who chanted sacred incantations and sprinkled them with holy water. Miraculously, as the ceremony concluded, the mascots returned to their docile and lovable selves, the troublemakers banished by the power of ritual and tradition. The SUNY mascot mayhem of 2023 will forever be remembered as a peculiar and challenging time for the university. It served as a reminder of the unpredictability of life and the importance of maintaining a sense of humor in the face of adversity. The mascots, once again, became symbols of school spirit and unity, albeit with a newfound appreciation for the importance of discipline and order..
Reviews for "From Concept to Reality: The Creation Process Behind Suny's Mascots"
1. Maria - 2 stars - I was extremely disappointed with Suny Mascot Mayhem 2023. The graphics were subpar, the gameplay was repetitive, and the overall experience was underwhelming. It felt like a cheap knockoff of other popular mascot games. I had high expectations for this game based on the trailer, but it failed to deliver. I wouldn't recommend wasting your time or money on this game.
2. John - 1 star - Suny Mascot Mayhem 2023 was a complete letdown. The controls were clunky and unresponsive, making it frustrating to play. The game lacked any depth or originality, with recycled levels and uninspiring challenges. It felt like a cash grab attempt rather than a well-crafted game. Save your money and look elsewhere for a better mascot gaming experience.
3. Jessica - 2.5 stars - I found Suny Mascot Mayhem 2023 to be mediocre at best. The gameplay was tedious and lacked any real excitement. The levels were repetitive and didn't offer any new challenges. The storyline was weak, and the humor fell flat. Overall, I expected more from this game, but it turned out to be just average. If you're looking for a fun and engaging mascot game, I suggest looking elsewhere.
4. David - 1.5 stars - Suny Mascot Mayhem 2023 was a major disappointment. The game had numerous technical issues, including constant lag and crashes. The character customization options were limited, and the in-game purchases were excessive and pushed heavily. The overall experience felt rushed and unfinished. I regret purchasing this game and would not recommend it to others.
5. Sarah - 2 stars - Suny Mascot Mayhem 2023 fell short of my expectations. The game lacked innovation and creativity. The levels were too easy and quickly became monotonous. The graphics were outdated, and the sound effects were annoying. It didn't offer anything new or exciting in the mascot gaming genre. I would recommend giving this game a pass unless you're a die-hard fan of the franchise.