University of Massachusets Athletics
Sam The Minuteman Needs Your Vote!
November 15, 2005 | General
Nov. 15, 2005
AMHERST, Mass. - One of the most colorful, recognizable, and historical mascots in the country, Sam the Minuteman is closing the gap on his season-long run to become the Capital One Mascot of the Year. Sam has gone head-to-head with 10 other mascots in the 11-week regular-season contest and ranks fifth in the final week of online voting. The top-six mascots will make the `postseason' in an effort to be named the top mascot in the country.
Sam is currently facing Bruiser of Baylor University and trails just Herbie Husker of Nebraska in total votes. If he wins this week, Sam is assured of a spot in the `play-offs' which is a single-elimination two week contest in which fans may vote daily. The two survivors then move on to the final round in which fans may vote over a two-week period beginning Dec. 5 and ending Dec. 19. The winning mascot will be the one with the most votes as collected online and through text-message votes.
As a member of the All-Mascot squad, Sam earned $5,000 for the University's mascot program. Should he win and be named the Capital One Mascot of the Year, he will earn another $5,000 to support the University.
Entering this final week, Sam (5-5-0) ranks fifth overall with 1,336,617 votes and is riding a four-week winning streak. Bruiser of Baylor University (5-5-0) ranks fourth with 1,350,848 votes, while Herbie Husker (8-2-0), currently the contest's leader, has 1,390,851 votes. Sam would need to close the 55,000 deficit to Herbie in order to win.
Throughout the contest, Sam has been featured in several commercials sponsored by Capital One which have been shown nationally on ESPN and ABC. Additionally, Sam was named the Playboy.com Mascot of the Month for October and was featured on the Wheel of Fortune.
Sam is the only mascot representing the Northeast region and is the only mascot representing a 1-AA football school.
Fans are encouraged to vote at www.UMassAthletics.com or at www.CapitalOneBowl.com to help make Sam the No. 1 mascot in the country.