Otto’s tips on how to bleed orange
Otto's tips for bleeding orange

Unfortunately, Otto wouldn’t comment, but we did get the chance to speak with some of Otto’s favorite graduates (AKA former Ottos) to find out a few of Otto’s favorite elements of Syracuse. Inspired by their time as the beloved mascot, alums Moriah Humiston and Salvatore Pepe broke down some tips for the SU community aimed at creating Ottoâs dream campus â spirited, joyous and covered in Orange.  Â
1. The classic stuff â Orange and a Syracuse hat â never go out of style. âThe trend right now is all about finding your best color palette â Am I a cool summer or a warm spring? On Syracuseâs campus, everybody looks good in orange, especially when theyâre on the way to the Dome. Add that pop of color!â – Humiston
2. Make way for Otto and his scooter on the walkways. âOtto loves the bus, loves walking and running, but scootering is the coolest way to go ⊠Itâs the coolest transportation around campus.â – Humiston; âOtto sometimes can get bumped off [his scooter] or has to scooter on the grass and takes a tumble. Respect the scooter! Otto always gets up, but falling is never ideal.â – Pepe
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3. Always be ready to receive and give a high five. âWhether itâs in the Dome or on campus or just running by somebody really quickly, a high five can make somebodyâs day, especially when itâs coming from Otto.â – Humiston
4. Donât rush out of the Dome at the end of the game. You are missing out (and making Otto sad). âAt the end of every home game, Syracuse fans sing the alma mater. The tradition is that everybody should stay, link arms and do the whole swaying thing while singing. If you look closely on the football field or basketball court, Otto is swaying back and forth with the team, singing the alma mater â win or lose.â – Humiston
5. You can always find time for a dance break. âNo matter what situation youâre in with Otto â whether it be Bird Library, the Dome or the Promenade â Otto will break into a dance and always wants people to join. If you do not know what to do, do a little dance.â – Humiston
6. Choose joy and spread it to everyone. âOtto doesnât look past anybody on campus. It doesnât matter if youâre an athlete or in Greek life or a commuter student, Otto loves everybody because theyâre at Syracuse. Even outside of Syracuse, Otto spreads joy around the world, to alums and even people who have never been on campus.â – Humiston
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7. Câmon. Take the selfie with your mom and dad. âThe number one photo opportunity is always in front of the Dome. Quad pictures are always a great ones. A very iconic photo is the one that everybody takes in front of the Hall of Languages.â – Humiston
8. Donât let the weather get you down. âRain or shine, itâs always a great day to be in Orange.â – Humiston
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9. Friends donât let friends go sledding ⊠alone. âOtto loves to go sledding whenever there is snow. Whether itâs a cardboard box, a dining hall tray or a sled, itâs like a Syracuse tradition to take a turn down the hill.â – Pepe
10. Once an orange, always an orange. âKeep that connection alive. Come back and visit, stay involved, help the next generation of students in whatever capacity you can.â – Pepe
11. Squeeze out every drop. âOtto wants students to maximize the opportunities they have. Take advantage of this fantastic university and all the resources it has to offer.â – Pepe
For those SU community members who do not like mascots (because they donât talk and are kind of scary or make you nervous), that is OK. Otto still loves you!
âOttoâs goal is to have everybody enjoy the Syracuse experience and for some people, that doesnât necessarily mean interacting with Otto,” Humiston said. “For a lot of people, that means avoiding Otto at all costs. But as long as everyone is having a great time, celebrating happiness and school spirit, that is all that matters to Otto.â