Seawolves Fans
Athletics => Conference and Athletics => Topic started by: Chairman of the Board on April 21, 2015, 09:18:46 pm
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More than a Mascot
How a Wolf Evolved into a Beloved Member of the SBU Family
https://mag.stonybrook.edu/more-than-a-mascot/
During the late 1950s, athletic teams were known as the Soundsmen, as the campus was located in Oyster Bay, New York. From 1963 through 1966, following the move to Stony Brook, the teams competed as the Warriors. Then in 1966 — perhaps to connect with the local area’s history of the Revolutionary War — the teams were known as the Patriots/Lady Patriots. That identity remained for nearly 30 years.
In 1994 Stony Brook was preparing to move its athletics teams to the Division I level and the campus sought to create an exciting and strong team name to reflect the change. The university ran a contest and the name “Seawolves” was chosen from more than 200 possibilities by a 32-person committee of students, alumni, faculty and administrators. Seawolves are based on a real animal: a subspecies of grey wolf found in the Pacific Northwest, with a reputation for courage and intelligence.
“Wolfie’s job is one of the toughest to do on campus. People don’t realize how physically demanding it is. Wolfie’s fur gets very hot and adds about 40 degrees to the outside temperature, so in the summer, it feels like he’s in a sauna. Plus, he’s constantly jumping, dancing, and interacting with the crowd. Yet Wolfie never looks tired, no matter how hot or tired he is.”
Lebedinski said she quickly saw the potential in Wolfie, who she felt wasn’t being fully utilized as he only made appearances at athletics games. “I thought, ‘This is a no-brainer.’ People didn’t even realize we were a Division I program, so I made it my mission to bring Wolfie to life beyond just game days,” she said.
She worked to develop a structured mascot program with clear scheduling and a distinct identity. “At first, Wolfie could just dance any way he wanted, but then we established specific mannerisms for consistency,” she said.
Lebedinski also focused on growing Wolfie’s presence in the local and national community, marching in the annual Memorial Day Parade in Setauket, the Santa Parade in Port Jefferson and the New York City Columbus Day Parade alongside the Spirit of Stony Brook Marching Band.
In 2011, Wolfie was invited by ESPN to participate in a national ESPN College GameDay commercial, and he even made a special appearance on “Extreme Home Makeover” when the show visited Setauket.
Lebedinski recalled her attempt to get Wolfie on national television. “One summer, we decided to try to get on the “Today” show. Wolfie and I went into Manhattan at 3 am hoping to get on air. The first attempt was a bust. Security said, ‘We only allow costumed characters on Halloween,’ but we didn’t give up. We stuck around, and Al Roker eventually acknowledged us live on air.”
“It was an incredibly exciting time,” said Murray. “The Stony Brook Marching Band was founded in 2006 with a small group of students that quickly grew to over 120 and the synergy between the band, dance team, cheerleaders, Wolfie and Athletics really grew in huge proportions in that short period of time. It was a perfect storm of athletic success, a renewed emphasis on campus life, and those two piggybacked off each other. As teams played better, more folks had pride. As more folks had pride, more came to the games, and the teams played better with more fans.”
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if you like satire... https://sbpress.com/2024/04/wolfie-parts-ways-with-stony-brook-after-mascot-madness-controversy/
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Everything about this is pretty fishy to me. I think SUNY was just sick of us winning every single year so they artificially made a story just to get a new champion.
I think it was Stony Brook that made the request though.
:(
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Everything about this is pretty fishy to me. I think SUNY was just sick of us winning every single year so they artificially made a story just to get a new champion.
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Just saw on FB they pulled Wolfie. After all the effort voting for him.
Geez. They don't even let us win a Mascot competition. goddamnn
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Mascot Madness: Stony Brook University pulls Wolfie from contest over voting irregularities
https://www.newsday.com/long-island/education/stony-brook-wolfie-mascot-madness-onemr19m
University officials had to pull the furry gray seawolf from a statewide Mascot March Madness competition this week after realizing fans were stuffing the ballot box in favor of Wolfie in the competition that's similar to the NCAA single-elimination basketball tournament held at this time of year. Mascot Madness is broken down into five rounds and is ongoing.
“We’ve determined that one or more students cast an excessive number of votes in violation of Mascot Madness rules. We brought these concerns to SUNY's attention and offered to withdraw Wolfie from the competition,” read a post on Stony Brook's Instagram that college officials shared Wednesday.
“Your support and love for Wolfie have not gone unnoticed, and we appreciate your dedication to fair play and sportsmanship. Thank you for being part of our community and upholding the values of integrity and fairness,” read a statement from the university.
Mascots from throughout the SUNY system are featured in the competition, from Victor the Viking of Hudson Valley Community College to Walter the Wildcat of SUNY Polytechnic. Wolfie, who often wears a red Seawolves hat, made it past the second round against the Wildcat with more than 60% of the vote.
The rules say voters can cast one vote every 12 hours. In order for a vote to count, fans had to verify their choice via an active email or the captcha in the vote block.
SBU officials could not immediately say how the excessive votes were detected. One supporter voted for Wolfie “568 times,” according to the fan's Instagram post.
Wolfie had previously claimed the title in 2022 and 2023. Wolfie ran a vigorous campaign for this year’s title as well, saying in an online profile that the book “The Art of War” influenced the tactics to help win Mascot Madness for the third time in a row. “After that, you might as well crown me the supreme ruler of SUNY Mascots,” the mascot wrote.
At least one local mascot remains in the competition and has made it to the Final Four. Farmingdale State College’s Ram-bo, the mascot there since 1912, is facing Blaze the Bronco of SUNY Delhi in the semifinals that end Friday. The finals run April 2-4.
Ram-bo, in an online profile, said that winning the competition would mean a celebration at the college's "annual Fountain Fest with my fellow Rams!"
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vote in round 3: https://www.suny.edu/mascotmadness/
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vote in round 2: https://www.suny.edu/mascotmadness/round2/
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vote for SB (and Cortland): https://www.suny.edu/mascotmadness/round1/
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the SUNY mascot madness is here again... ill put out reminders for each round so we can all vote: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/traditions/mascot-madness.php?utm_source=marcom-stonybrooku&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=LinkedIn&utm_content=MascotMadness24
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a little close, no?
https://news.stonybrook.edu/university/wolfie-wins-suny-mascot-madness-for-2nd-straight-year/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=MascotMadness23
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please vote! we are losing to ESF's oakie the acorn. https://www.suny.edu/mascotmadness/
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https://news.stonybrook.edu/university/vote-for-wolfie-to-defend-the-suny-mascot-madness-title/
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At least now we can say there are real Seawolves… besides the mythical kinds.
Island of the Sea Wolves… fantastic documentary on Netflix. Stunning videography. Voiced by Arnett.. Gob from Arrested Development (one of my favorite comedy sitcom).
I recommend all to watch it:
https://www.netflix.com/title/81341781
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This may have already been shared on the board but apparently “Seawolves” has gained some traction
https://seawolves.rugby/
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https://news.stonybrook.edu/university/wolfie-takes-home-the-suny-mascot-madness-title/
Voted a few times. Top SUNY. Lets get some real wins in the CAA!!! Can't wait for September!!!
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https://news.stonybrook.edu/university/wolfie-takes-home-the-suny-mascot-madness-title/
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true. we shouldnt be head to head with SUNY Empire.
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I saw promos on that for social and I lowkey hate it because it ties us to the no-name SUNY schools upstate as being part of the same thing, and because we have 27k students and dwarf everyone else, so of course you'd expect us to do well.
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https://news.stonybrook.edu/university/one-to-go-wolfie-makes-finals-of-suny-mascot-madness/
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https://news.stonybrook.edu/university/vote-for-wolfie-in-suny-mascot-madness/
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Can we just remove the mythical BS from the official site: https://stonybrookathletics.com/sports/2016/9/10/what-is-a-seawolf.aspx?id=2127
I very much prefer the wolves described below… Not so mythical anymore? :)
https://www.boredpanda.com/swimming-sea-wolves-pacific-coast-canada-ian-mcallister/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic
“Along the wild Pacific coast of British Columbia, there lives a population of the sea wolves. “We know from exhaustive DNA studies that these wolves are genetically distinct from their continental kin,” says McAllister. “They are behaviourally distinct, swimming from island to island and preying on sea animals. They are also morphologically distinct — they are smaller in size and physically different from their mainland counterparts,” says Ian McAllister, an award-winning photographer who has been studying these animals for almost two decades.
McAllister captured the magic of these wolves in breath-taking pictures. As he swam towards them, “the curious canines approached him so closely that he could hear them grunting into his snorkel. He took several frames, then pushed back into deeper water without daring to look up,” writes the bioGraphic.
One could almost call these sea wolves pescatarians – 90 percent of their food comes directly from the ocean, with a fourth of it coming from eating salmon. On top of having distinctive food patterns, sea wolves are also excellent swimmers, with their farthest record being swimming to an archipelago 7.5 miles from the nearest landmass.”
Also: https://spiritbear.com/wildlife/coastal-wolves/
“Sea Wolves are a unique strain of wolf that lives in the rainforest along the Pacific coast of Canada. Genetically distinct from their inland cousins and from wolves in any other part of the world, coastal wolves can swim like otters and fish like the bears with whom they share the rainforest. Smaller than the gray wolves that live on the other side of the Coast Mountains, these wolves are highly social and fiercely intelligent creatures.”
Also: http://www.panthalassa.org/the-sea-wolves/
“Sea wolves are a unique breed of wolf found in the Great Bear Rainforest along the Pacific Coast of Canada. Swimming between islands like fish, they are genetically distinct from their inland cousins, or from wolves in any other part of the world.”
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interesting story here: https://www.timesunion.com/sports/article/Albany-FireWolves-chose-not-to-fight-Stony-Brook-16387333.php
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i did notice the facing-forward mascot is the new thing.
my opinion on what NOT to do:
(https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fi%2Fteamlogos%2Fncaa%2F500%2F399.png)
(https://www.techtoolsupply.com/v/vspfiles/photos/KLN-D335512C-2.jpg?v-cache=1518157547)
;D
Make fun of the dog all you want UA has there **** together.
True that. I don't know if it's just luck or what. But what has allowed UA to be significantly more successful over the years with what appears to be less resources, less academic prestige, and a smaller school? It pains me just to think about it. It doesn't make sense to me. Stony Brook checks all the marks academically and sizewise (strong research, AAU school, leader in the region, good size and area, great facilities and campus, etc).
When I feel down about my Alma mater I always think about Rutgers to make myself feel better. No one does less with more than SUNJ Rutgers at the end of the day
The athletic department is the issue. SH and his staff cant raise money and the GF hiring is an anchor around the neck of the department. SH had a very ambitious 5 year plan and couldnt get 10% of it raised. This is new york. We smell BS from miles away and SH has been giving off a stench for the last three years with his poor decisions.
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hammer- true, and im on record saying that (recently).
eddie- it's student life. again.
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i did notice the facing-forward mascot is the new thing.
my opinion on what NOT to do:
(https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fi%2Fteamlogos%2Fncaa%2F500%2F399.png)
(https://www.techtoolsupply.com/v/vspfiles/photos/KLN-D335512C-2.jpg?v-cache=1518157547)
;D
Make fun of the dog all you want UA has there **** together.
True that. I don't know if it's just luck or what. But what has allowed UA to be significantly more successful over the years with what appears to be less resources, less academic prestige, and a smaller school? It pains me just to think about it. It doesn't make sense to me. Stony Brook checks all the marks academically and sizewise (strong research, AAU school, leader in the region, good size and area, great facilities and campus, etc).
When I feel down about my Alma mater I always think about Rutgers to make myself feel better. No one does less with more than SUNJ Rutgers at the end of the day
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i did notice the facing-forward mascot is the new thing.
my opinion on what NOT to do:
(https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fi%2Fteamlogos%2Fncaa%2F500%2F399.png)
(https://www.techtoolsupply.com/v/vspfiles/photos/KLN-D335512C-2.jpg?v-cache=1518157547)
;D
Make fun of the dog all you want UA has there **** together.
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;D :D
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Haha Albany did a horrible redesign. It’s like field goal posts.
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i did notice the facing-forward mascot is the new thing.
my opinion on what NOT to do:
(https://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fi%2Fteamlogos%2Fncaa%2F500%2F399.png)
(https://www.techtoolsupply.com/v/vspfiles/photos/KLN-D335512C-2.jpg?v-cache=1518157547)
;D
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Hello Kitty Wolfe? Cute. Lol Doesn’t look bad.
I don’t think we are updating Wolfe. If we do I would prefer something like Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies or UConn.
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is this perhaps a preview of an alternate/updated wolfie? https://calendar.stonybrook.edu/event/vote-for-wolfie-3/
(https://calendarmedia.blob.core.windows.net/assets/e93b16af-2531-4f56-b248-9220b8db366c-small.jpg)
PS- we are currently losing badly to Jefferson CC in this vote
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LOLbany's new logo ain't s**t lol. Can't believe they hyped this up so much.
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im naturally inclined to dislike anything smallbany.
however. i hate the new logo, and so, i like it.
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I really like the new UA logo. Looks quite serious and intimidating. Apparently, over 460 people on Twitter like it also.
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I expected something special. But it’s blah lol
https://twitter.com/UAlbanySports/status/1285941417517428740
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“Wolves” may flow better but the idea behind Seawolves was to capitalize on the university’s proximity to the ocean. A lot of people (athletes, students, faculty) like the beach.
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Man.. can’t believe we were called the warriors... why change that! Would’ve loved that name.
I wasn’t fond of the Seawolves name at the beginning. But now after almost two decades, I just can’t imagine another name. We are Seawolves now!
LOL. I've had more people in 10+ years tell me. "What the heck kind of noame is that for a team" . The name is rediculous and quite embarrassing. I would absolutely vote to have it modified. The "Stony brook Wolves" sounds much more appealing for a college team then Seawolf.
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Man.. can’t believe we were called the warriors... why change that! Would’ve loved that name.
I wasn’t fond of the Seawolves name at the beginning. But now after almost two decades, I just can’t imagine another name. We are Seawolves now!
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i've sounded off on this issue before but i really think we should just drop seawolves. its often mispronounced, it's confusing, no one knows what it is, and it's bad for our brand. this is a place to follow not lead. just go back with baymen or patriots or warriors. anytime someone that's not a fan uses the name, it's to mock the university. just like what's a seawolf im a seawolf.
anyway i think we should only use the interlocking SB. it's classic.
I agree. Whats a Seawolf, 'Im a Seawolf" is getting old and is weird. If They want to be taken seriously change the name to just, Wolf. Heck, whenever they have a new signee they use a picture of a Wolf from the Wild, not a mysterious Sea creacher, right?
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In the immortal words of Smokey Robinson, "I Second That Emotion"!!
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I don't even know where to begin Chairman... I gotta say that's a hell no from me.
Maybe if you think of something really cool I'll get behind it, but I like Seawolves.
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i've sounded off on this issue before but i really think we should just drop seawolves. its often mispronounced, it's confusing, no one knows what it is, and it's bad for our brand. this is a place to follow not lead. just go back with baymen or patriots or warriors. anytime someone that's not a fan uses the name, it's to mock the university. just like what's a seawolf im a seawolf.
anyway i think we should only use the interlocking SB. it's classic.
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I'd keep both logos for now and I'd retain the block SB logo only perhaps use it less. I like the current Wolfie logo. It works.
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Seems like scoobies are updating their Dane logo. They will get a straight on view of Dane.
https://twitter.com/UAlbanySports/status/1281589323238973440?s=20
Got me thinking. I like our SB block letters too. But may be time for a change for our Wolfie face? From side view to straight on front view? Kinda like UConn did to their husky.
https://uconn-today-universityofconn.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/UConnHusky-Logo-timelineS.jpg
Or would it be too similar to UConn?
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I kind of like our present logo. Plenty of big schools use block letters as a logo Villanova, Syracuse , Tennessee to name a few. We can build a brand around that block SB .
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i happen to really like the recently implemented SB logo- i think its classic and a step in the right direction- especially when compared to our older logos.
it goes hand in hand with the larger university branding- our updated colors, university name, newer crest, etc.
i dont agree with this article at all: http://seawolvesnation.kinja.com/the-interlocking-sb-has-got-to-go-1695357718
with that said, the interlocking SB that he proposes is pretty cool. but i love our current logo. keep it!