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U of M’s Monte claims national mascot award
Capital One competition judges crown Montana’s favorite bear
Get this bear a lifetime supply of honey.
Seems that’s the least Monte, the University of Montana’s lovable mascot, deserves after being named the Capital One National Mascot of the Year.
By JON KASPER of the Missoulian
Monte will be officially crowned during Wednesday’s telecast of the Capital One Bowl featuring Penn State and Auburn. ABC will show the game live beginning at 11 a.m. MST.
The announcement is expected to come at halftime, but Monte won’t be in Orlando, Fla., to receive the award.
"The news that we have a national champion at the University of Montana raises all of our spirits,” UM President George Dennison said in a press release. "I know that everyone associated with the University of Montana believes Monte deserves this recognition for his superb work over the years. What a difference he has made for Missoula and Montana communities."
A local celebration is scheduled for Feb. 1 when the UM men’s basketball team hosts Sacramento State.
Monte, whose identity will remain anonymous until his tenure is over, said he felt "relieved" when he learned the news Monday afternoon.
"I did a little bit of rolling around on the ground and whooping it up and hollering,” he said. "But there has been a lot of weight on the back of my head since we started applying for this. It was all I could think about sometimes. Now, I don’t have to worry about what’s going to happen. It’s a big relief.”
In October, Monte was one of 12 creatures named to the Capital One All-America Mascot Team. Monte flew to Atlanta with the other finalists to film a series of promotional commercials, which appeared on ESPN.
Monte said all the mascots filmed spots assuming they’d win. Monte said a commercial with him accepting the award will be shown during halftime. Monte also said there is a chance ABC will air one of the video packages that were shown throughout the football season at Washington-Grizzly Stadium.
Monte finished third in online voting conducted by Capital Once from mid-October until Dec. 20. The Penn State Nittany Lion and Buzz from Georgia Tech received more votes than Monte.
Online voting accounted for 50 percent of the final tally. The other 50 percent was determined by a panel of judges, who selected on criteria such as fan interaction, demonstration of good sportsmanship and community service involvement.
"I received 10 points in the voting, so I assume I must have been first or second in the judging,” Monte said. "The big question the people at Capital One had was how in the world we got that many votes. They said we got hundreds of thousands of votes. They said it was incredible. They thought we’d get crushed.”
Monte said he thought his video packages were a big factor in the outcome. The first packages, produced by Spiker Communications, showed Monte riding into Washington-Grizzly Stadium on a motorcycle and interacting with children in the community. Monte’s dancing and gymnastic skills also were heavily featured.
With the help of KPAX and UM marketing and promotions director Dan Hawley, three other shorter packages were produced later in the season.
"The guy from Capital One called me and said they were hilarious,” Hawley said. "I put those on Beta and sent those to Capital One. I think that was the big clincher. They were shocked Monte could ride a motorcycle and do back flips. They were impressed with that and how animated he was.”
Monte said he never thought he’d have a chance to win.
"I thought we might have a chance to get in the top 12,” the bear said. "I thought for sure there would be some guy who’d been there for a long time, some guy who was a super gymnast. I can’t believe it.”
The University of Montana received $5,000 to go toward scholarship and funding of the mascot program when Monte was named to the All-America squad. The school will receive an additional $5,000 because of Monte’s victory.
"I just hope everyone realizes this isn’t Monte’s win,” Monte said. "The University of Montana won. Missoula won. We are such a small market. It’s important for everyone who had anything to do with this to consider it a victory.
"We are a huge player in the country in sporting events whether we know it or not. A lot of people care and are fascinated with the program. It’s only going to multiple now. We’re only going to be in the spotlight more.”
Monte said Montana athletic director Wayne Hogan is already trying to land him an appearance on the "Late Show with David Letterman."
"Wow! What a great accomplishment for Monte and the University of Montana,” Hogan said. "This has been an absolutely stellar year for national publicity for the Grizzlies, considering our 24-game football winning streak, the cover story in USA Today, our basketball victory over Stanford and now this distinction for Monte. Montana is most definitely on the map.
"I could not be more proud of what that bear has accomplished. Imagine our Monte outperforming and out-charming mascots from coast to coast. As far as I’m concerned, this goes down as another national championship for Montana.”
Reporter Jon Kasper can be reached at 523-5247 or at [email protected].
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