Sept. 3, 2003

McLean, Va. –
Capital One this morning officially kicked off the second annual race for the most coveted title in the mascot world – Capital One National Mascot of the Year. Fans across the country can help decide the winner by voting for their favorite mascot at www.capitalonebowl.com until 5:00 p.m. (EST) on Monday, Dec. 22, 2003. The winner will be announced during the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1, 2004.

Scratching, clawing and chomping their way for this year’s crown are Cocky and 11 other talented, lovable and fuzzy college mascots from around the country that recently were selected to the 2003 Capital One All-America Mascot Team. While these mascots come in all shapes and sizes – three dogs, two cats, two chickens, a gator, a buffalo, a bear, a buckeye and one big red blob – they all have one thing in common: they really know how to put the “pep” into pep rally.

2003 Capital One All-America Mascot Team

Albert – University of Florida
Aubie – Auburn University
Big Red – Western Kentucky University
Brutus Buckeye – Ohio State University
Chip – University of Colorado
Cocky – University of South Carolina
Hairy Dawg – University of Georgia
Harry the Husky – University of Washington
Monte – University of Montana
Scratch – University of Kentucky
Smokey – University of Tennessee
YoUDee – University of Delaware

Unlike the recent trend in Reality TV competitions, Cocky and his fellow competitors won’t have to sing (actually, they can’t even talk), eat bugs or backstab each other by voting one another out of the competition at a tribal council. This friendly competition will be decided by the online voting results at www.capitalonebowl.com (50 percent) and a panel of judges’ ranking (50 percent) of each mascot during the selection of the All-America Team. In the event that there is a tie, the judges will cast a vote for one mascot among those tied they feel best embodies the criteria of the competition.

“The university is behind Cocky 100 percent in his quest for this prestigious title,” said Toni Karl, USC Spirit Coordinator. “We encourage our students, faculty, alumni and fans to support Cocky by voting for him online.”

Last year the mascots flocked to the streets to shake paws, claws and feathers with their adoring fans and innocent bystanders. Campaign tactics included flips, spins, moonwalks and a myriad of other raw, attention-grabbing antics where they often resembled over-sized furry children.
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“Last year’s competition was ‘neck and beak’ until the very end,” said Pam Girardo, mascot spokesperson at Capital One. “We expect an even fiercer battle this year with the great pack of characters competing.”

Being named the Capital One National Mascot of the year will come with its fair share of perks – the recognition, the photo shoots, a national television advertising campaign, the parties, adoring fans, bragging rights and the cash (each member of the All-America Mascot Team received $5,000 for its school’s mascot program and the Capital One National Mascot of the Year receives an additional $5,000 for a total $10,000 prize).