September 2003

Monte set to defend national title
UM's Monte is out to retain his national title of No. 1 mascot and is off to a good start. For the second year running, Monte has been named to the Capital One All-America Mascot Team.

The back-flipping, motorcycle-riding Grizzly will defend his title against 11 other mascots whose fur, feathers and scales will be featured in an upcoming national television advertising campaign showcasing the competition for the Capital One National Mascot of the Year title.

Monte's competitors this year are mascots from Auburn University, Ohio State University, University of Colorado, University of Delaware, University of Georgia, University of Florida, University of Kentucky, University of Tennessee, University of South Carolina, University of Washington and Western Kentucky University.

The battle for this year's title officially began in early September. Fans across the country can vote daily for their favorite mascot at www.capitalonebowl.com. The winner will be selected based on the judges' ranking (50 percent) and the online voting results (50 percent). The winner will be announced during the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1. Each nominee received $5,000 for its school's mascot program, and the winner will receive another $5,000.

Monte defeated Florida's Albert and Western Kentucky's Big Red to win the title in 2002.

"Last year, college mascots flocked to join the All-American mascot team, and this year the contest for the 12 spots was even more ferocious," said Pam Girardo, mascot spokesperson at Capital One.

"We look forward to watching the finalists go beak-to-beak and snout-to-snout to claim the Capital One National Mascot of the Year title beginning in September. May the best mascot win!"

Capital One started the All-America Mascot and National Mascot of the Year contests last year to pay homage to the top college mascots in the country. This year's pack of characters was chosen from Division I-A and I-AA athletic programs with college football teams. A panel of judges, including original Phillie Phanatic David Raymond, mascot guru and historian Roy Yarbrough and representatives from ESPN and Capital One, selected the 12 finalists based on interaction with fans, sportsmanship and community service.

"Last year Monte was named to the All-American team after we sent in a highlight film of his antics at UM athletic and community events," said Greg Sundberg, director of marketing and promotions for intercollegiate athletics. "This year, we made things a little more exciting by producing a funny, documentary-style film."

Being named an All-American comes with its fair share of perks - the recognition, the photo shoots, a national television advertising campaign, the parties, adoring fans, bragging rights and the cash -- each member of the mascot team receives $5,000 for its school's mascot program.

During his reign as National Mascot of the Year, Monte traveled the country -- from New York to San Francisco, from Atlanta to Las Vegas -- performing at trade shows and appearing on television shows and commercials for ESPN and Capital One. He attended last year's SuperBowl in San Diego, and appeared in an ESPN commercial with Joe Montana that aired during the game.

"Monte's success is great exposure not only for UM athletics, but for the University as a whole and for the state of Montana," said Sundberg. "The demand for Monte and Grizzly athletics was already substantial in the state, but the Capital One title put Montana as a whole into the limelight.

"It'd be great to have a back-to-back championship title for our mascot program" Sundberg said, "So it's really important for Griz fans to get online and vote for Monte."

University Relations | Cary Shimek, Editor
The University of Montana-Missoula
32 Campus Drive | Missoula, MT 59812
phone (406) 243-2522 | fax (406) 243-4520
© 2004 The University of Montana