This is a question that we Spartans undoubtedly know the answer to. There is but one answer: Sparty. The best mascot in college and sports in general is a question that often pops up on sports talk in the slow dog days of summer. Earlier in June, I found myself calling in to the Morning Show with DA and Babs on Mad Dog Sports Radio to debate this very question. They proposed the question and I knew I had the right answer. They proceeded to debate with many callers, some claiming the Stanford Tree or Big Red from Western Kentucky and we all know the Oregon Duck gets his share of fans. When I was finally put on the air, they asked the question to me, what is the best mascot? I mentioned as a former alum and former mascot myself, that Sparty had to take the top slot. Both hosts immediately agreed. They were shocked to be speaking with a former Sparty, but also started talking about how much of a bad ass Sparty is whether it is at a basketball game, football game, starring in a Capitol One commercial, or skating on the ice. For them, they found the answer to their question and the debate was no more.

Now we find our beloved mascot having to fight for supremacy once again. Our friends at USA Today are currently conducting a contest to find the best mascot in college. They had an expert panel narrow the field to 20 finalists before the vote was put in the hands of the fans. The experts said, “these 20 are undisputed identities leading the charge in a very competitive field. Whether a live mascot or a costumed version, each exhibits the ability to send the crowd into thunderous cheers while also adding levity when needed, and, in some instances, even producing sheer wonderment.” I’m sure you are wondering who could even be in the same field as Sparty, but I will gladly share the other 19 finalists.

Aubie the Tiger from Auburn, Bevo from Texas, Big Red from Western Kentucky, Brutus Buckeye from Ohio State, Bucky Badger from Wisconsin, Butler Blue from Butler, Demon Deacon from Wake Forest, Masked Rider from Texas Tech, Mike the Tiger from LSU, The Oregon Duck from Oregon, Osceola and Renegade from Florida State, Otto the Orange from Syracuse, Ralphie from Colorado, Sebastian the Ibis from Miami, Sir Big Spur from South Carolina, Sparky the Sun Devil from Arizona State, Testudo from Maryland, Traveler from USC, and Uga from Georgia are the 19 competitors in this competition. There are some primetime names on this list and the competition is fierce. I, personally, have a tough time with the live animals on the list as Uga and Bevo are doing what exactly to pump up the crowd. Traveler at least has a Trojan riding on him as does FSU with Osceola and that can get a crowd going. Regardless of the competition, Sparty is still hands down #1.

Now TOC, I am calling on you all to take action. Get out there and vote once per day to get Sparty #1 on this list. He is currently in second and with the vast alumni of Spartans out there we should push him to the top. Share this with your friends, and trick your enemies into getting out the vote. You don’t need to register, give any email, nothing. Just click this link to vote and come back here every day to click the same link and get it done. The contest ends August 17.

Being that this is strictly a college mascot only competition, in our comments let us have some summer fun and open the discussion to all sports. Who do you consider to be some of the top mascots out there? I mean Tier 1 is Sparty, but who is on Tier 2? Let us know and get out the vote!