Mascot Madness 2024

March 8, 2024

HVCC Viking mascot at game

As is customary, and similar to the annual NCAA March Madness basketball tournament, Mascot Madness begins on Tuesday, March 12 and is broken down into five rounds.

Voting takes place online at www.suny.edu/mascotmadness/ and allows for site visitors and fans to cast one vote per 24 hours in each round. Check in every round for access to voting tools and to make your voice heard.

2024 Q and A with the Viking

Who are you, where are you originally from, and where do you do your mascot thing?
My name is Victor (the Viking)! After jumping ship on a North American voyage hundreds of years ago, I froze in an iceberg that traveled up the Hudson River. I proudly represent and “do my mascot thing” at Hudson Valley Community College, upstate New York’s largest community college.

What’s a unique new thing (building, club, activity, employee, etc) on your campus that you treasure?
There are so many things to choose from, but I would have to say Coffee with the President. On one Wednesday every month, all HVCC students, faculty and staff are invited to come together for coffee and breakfast with President Ramsammy. It’s a great way to get to know him and other members of the campus community. The bagels and pastries are delicious too!

If you could start your own new club or major on campus, what would it be?
I think I would have to establish a shipbuilding or global navigation major. There’s no feeling quite like traveling through the open seas, and I think everyone should be equipped to build a 50-foot-long ship and enjoy the voyage.

What's your hidden talent that you haven’t told anyone about yet?
I’m actually a great chef. In my free time I try to take as many cooking classes as I can at Hudson Valley and its EOC Culinary Arts program. From traditional Viking meals like Gravlax and Pickled Herring to more modern cuisines like pizza and burgers, I can cook for every palate.

What campus cheer gets you pumped up & why?
H-V-C-C!!!
We’re the school you want to beat!
But instead, you’ll see defeat!
And find out, Vikings are the elite!!
Gooooooo Vikings!!!

What sport would you play if you were a student-athlete?
I would definitely join our eSports team. They’ve been killing it lately, and it’s one of the fastest growing sports around. Or, maybe I’d dust off my bowling shoes and watch my ball roll straight into the gutter. Wait, I meant roll straight into all ten pins. STRIKE!

Read any good books lately?
I’m always looking for a good book to read in the Marvin Library. From history to biographies to romance, they have every genre of book you could imagine. Right now, I’m reading “The Age of the Vikings” by Anders Winroth and “Twilight” by Stephanie Meyer. #TeamJacob

Favorite pizza topping?
Pineapple. I said what I said!

If you were SUNY Chancellor for a day, what would you do?
I would order a theme park to be built on every campus to give students a place to have fun in between classes. I’m no accountant, but it seems like a small investment for a TON of fun!

How would you celebrate being named SUNY Mascot Madness Champion in 2024?
I would team up with President Ramsammy to throw a big campus-wide party over the summer! We would invite all students, faculty and staff, and a few of my mascot friends, like SouthPaw from the Valley Cats. There would be lots of food, snacks and fun games for everyone!  

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