Squeeze the Day: How a Giant Citrus Became Syracuse’s Ultimate Icon

Today, Otto the Orange is universally recognized as one of college sports' most iconic, beloved figures, complete with a 2023 induction into the Mascot Hall of Fame. However, Syracuse Athletics’ path to adopting a citrus fruit as its symbol was far from straightforward.

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The history of Syracuse's sideline icons spans nearly a century of trial, error, controversy, and fan revolts.

The Pre-Orange Era

Syracuse spent its early decades searching for an identity:

• The Early 1900s: Before standardized costumes, Syracuse relied on live animals to rally crowds, most notably a live goat named Vita.

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• 1931–1978 Born out of a fictional story in a campus humor magazine, the Saltine Warrior became the official mascot for over four decades. Following protests, the university officially retired the character in 1978.

• 1978 Seeking an immediate replacement, the school debuted a Roman gladiator clad in orange armor. Syracuse fans hated the concept, and the mascot was routinely booed off the field before being scrapped.

• Late 1970s: Syracuse briefly flirted with several concepts, including a troll named Egnaro ("Orange" spelled backward), a superman knockoff, an orange tuxedo-wearing host, and an orangutan.

Birth of the Orange Outfit

In 1980, Syracuse cheerleader Eric Heath designed a homemade orange costume to wear on the sidelines. Originally dubbed "Clyde" by the cheer team, the large, padded fruit immediately clicked with the student section.

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By 1990, cheerleaders coined the name "Otto" for the costume—choosing it over "Opie" to prevent rival fans from making obvious rhymes.

The Great Wolf Mutiny of 1995

Despite Otto's immense fan popularity, university administrators weren't fully sold on having a piece of fruit represent a major Division I athletic program.

In 1995, an 18-member university committee was formed to select a permanent, official mascot. The committee formally recommended replacing the orange with a wolf.

The recommendation sparked an immediate uproar across campus. Students, alumni, and former mascot suit-wearers launched a spirited campaign to save the citrus.

Listening to the overwhelming community backlash, then-Chancellor Kenneth "Buzz" Shaw overruled the committee and officially designated Otto the Orange as Syracuse University’s primary mascot in December 1995.

A College Sports Icon

Since becoming official, Otto's popularity has skyrocketed.

• ESPN & Sports Illustrated Acclaim: Regularly ranked among the top college football mascots nationwide.

• Hall of Fame: Inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in August 2023.

• Rule of Tradition: To preserve the character's magic, Syracuse maintains a strict rule that Otto is never seen in two places at once. Multiple student performers share the role, split across over 800 annual appearances.