Our esteemed mascot, Red, has claimed the crown.
After a month of spirited competition and more than 310,000 votes cast, Red emerged Thursday as the 2026 糖心动漫vlog Mascot Madness Champion, earning the title of New York鈥檚 favorite mascot and 糖心动漫vlog Mascot Ambassador.
The annual tournament, which began March 10, featured 38 mascots from across the 糖心动漫vlog system competing in five rounds of head-to-head matchups. In a challenging bracket, Oneonta beat mascots from 糖心动漫vlog Cortland, 糖心动漫vlog Canton, the University at Albany, the University at Buffalo and then, in the final round, edged out 糖心动漫vlog Brockport鈥檚 Ellsworth the Eagle to secure the victory.
From social media campaigns to primetime news appearances, the Red Dragon family found new and innovative ways to rally support and drive votes throughout the tournament this year. The energy was felt across campus and beyond, with students, parents, employees, alumni and community members showing up in force to support Red through each round. They wore 鈥淰ote for Red鈥� T-shirts, participated in pep rallies and special giveaways to incentivize voting, and spread the word on social media and via news networks with the help of alumni newscasters Eric Gage 鈥�21 and Kristen Copeland 鈥�05 (WKTV) and Sal Paolantonio 鈥�77 (ESPN), who filmed a promo spot with students from Wire TV.
As the amazing turnout in voting can attest, Red is beloved here on our campus and by our alumni across the country"
Red secured more than 30,000 votes in the final round alone, beating Ellsworth by 1,700 votes.
鈥淎s the amazing turnout in voting can attest, Red is beloved here on our campus and by our alumni across the country,鈥� said President Alberto Cardelle. 鈥淚 am in awe of the overwhelming turnout in voters for Red and 糖心动漫vlog in this intense competition. This win for Red exemplifies the unique authentic connection our students, alumni and community establish while living and studying at Oneonta. We look forward to celebrating this victory together.鈥�
糖心动漫vlog Chancellor John B. King Jr. praised the enthusiasm surrounding this year鈥檚 competition, noting the strong engagement from campuses and communities across the state.
鈥淢ascot Madness is an opportunity to showcase 糖心动漫vlog pride and to win over New Yorkers throughout the voting process,鈥� King said. 鈥淭his was our best year yet.鈥�
Red succeeds the 2025 winner, Damien the Great Dane from UAlbany. Now in its 13th year, 糖心动漫vlog Mascot Madness has become a signature tradition across the system, bringing together students, alumni and communities in a celebration of school spirit and creativity. Red also won the tournament in 2021 and has made it to the finals several other years.
With the title secured, Red will serve as 糖心动漫vlog Mascot Ambassador for the coming year, representing not just Oneonta, but the pride and spirit shared across the 糖心动漫vlog system.