Wolfie the Seawolf
| Wolfie the Seawolf | |
|---|---|
 Wolfie the Seawolf | |
| Team | Stony Brook Seawolves |
| University | Stony Brook University |
| Conference | Coastal Athletic Association |
| Description | Anthropomorphic sea wolf |
| Origin of name | Winning entry in competition |
| First seen | 1995 |
Wolfie the Seawolf is the mascot of the Stony Brook Seawolves, the athletic teams representing Stony Brook University, one of two public flagship universities in New York state. Wolfie is depicted as an anthropomorphic sea wolf and was introduced in 1995 as the Stony Brook athletic program began its transition to the NCAA's Division I level, the highest in United States collegiate athletics.
History
Origin
In 1995, Wolfie was selected as the choice for Stony Brook University's new mascot by a 32-person committee made up of students, alumni, faculty and administrators. Over 200 possible choices were in the running as Stony Brook University sought a new nickname and mascot for its transition to Division I. Since 1966, Stony Brook had competed as the Stony Brook Patriots at the Division III level.[1][2]
Appearances in media
In 2005, Wolfie beat up J.J. Jumper, the NCAA's official basketball mascot, during an America East tournament game.[3]
Wolfie met Al Roker, a weatherman on NBC's Today show, during a live segment in 2008. Along with the Stony Brook University marching band, dance team and cheerleading team, Wolfie was featured in a 2010 episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition which highlighted in a home in East Setauket, New York.[4]
Wolfie was one of 17 college mascots to appear in a 2011 commercial for ESPN's College GameDay. Stony Brook was the only Football Championship Subdivision school represented by its mascot in the commercial.[4]
In 2012, a video of Wolfie dancing to "U Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer was named "Web Video of the Day" by ESPN.[4]
Wolfie marched alongside the Stony Brook baseball team in the 2012 New York City Columbus Day Parade to commemorate the Seawolves' Cinderella run to the College World Series.[5] Since 2014, Wolfie regularly marches with the Stony Brook dance team and marching band in the annual Columbus Day Parade.[6]
On March 15, 2014, Wolfie was involved in a physical fight with Damien the Great Dane, the mascot for the Albany Great Danes, in the first half of the America East Championship game. The well-publicized altercation came as Stony Brook faced its longtime New York rival Albany with a bid to the NCAA Tournament on the line.[7][8]
In 2020, Ryan Field, an Emmy-winning broadcaster for ABC's Eyewitness News, portrayed Wolfie in a segment.[9]
For two consecutive years in 2022 and 2023, Wolfie won the SUNY Mascot Madness title for Stony Brook. Mascot Madness is the annual competition that brings the State University of New York mascots together in a competition to find out who the fans feel is the best in all of New York.[10]
In January 2024, Wolfie finished fifth in the Open Mascot division at the Universal Cheerleading Association's College Cheer and Dance Team National Championships[11]
In September 2024, a bronze statue of Wolfie was unveiled on academic mall of Stony Brook's West Campus.[12]
Lore
Wolfie was born on February 10, 1994. His height is 6 feet tall and he is a double major in marine biology and cheerleading.[6]
The Seawolf is described as a mythical sea creature from the Tlingit tribe with the head of a wolf and the fins of a killer whale.[13] The Seawolf brought good luck to those able to see it.[13][14] However, the Stony Brook mascot looks like an ordinary wolf.[13]
References
- ^ Lauzon, Amanda De (2019-08-23). "15 Mascots That Rally Long Island College Spirit". LI Press. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
- ^ "Athletic Traditions | Stony Brook Traditions".
- ^ Gillette, Felix (2005-04-01). "College basketball's unloved, world-weary ambassador". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2022-03-10.
- ^ a b c "Mascot of the Week - Stony Brook". www.collegesportsmadness.com. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
- ^ "PHOTOS: Stony Brook Marches in Columbus Day Parade". Three Village, NY Patch. 2012-10-10. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
- ^ a b "Fun Facts About Wolfie |". SBU News. 2018-03-19. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
- ^ Kussoy, Howie (2014-03-16). "Mascots square off at America East title game". New York Post. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
- ^ Sherman, Rodger (2014-03-15). "Albany, Stony Brook mascots fight during game". SBNation.com. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
- ^ Field, Ryan (2020-02-22). "Field Trip: Mascot Madness!". ABC7 New York. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
- ^ "Wolfie Wins SUNY Mascot Madness for Second Straight Year". 2023-04-07. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
- ^ Harrington, Joe (2024-01-13). "UCA National Mascot Championship Results 2024: Aubie The Tiger Wins". Varsity TV. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
- ^ "Wolfie's World: New Statue Unveiled on the Academic Mall". 2024-09-30. Retrieved 2024-10-01.
- ^ a b c Sports, World-Herald. "What is a Seawolf?". Omaha World-Herald. Archived from the original on 12 February 2022. Retrieved 2022-02-12.
- ^ "Wolfie continues to make his mark at Stony Brook". 3 December 2015. Archived from the original on 4 December 2015.