“The University of Akron’s mascot, Zippy, remains undefeated at 9-0 in the Capital One Mascot Open. Over the last nine weeks Zippy has received approximately 321,000 votes to maintain that position. The closest competitor is Hary Dawg, from the University of Georgia, who has just under 316,000 votes.”
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The University of Akron’s mascot, Zippy, remains undefeated at 9-0 in the Capital One Mascot Open. Over the last nine weeks Zippy has received approximately 321,000 votes to maintain that position. The closest competitor is Hary Dawg, from the University of Georgia, who has just under 316,000 votes.

But who is Zippy that students seem to love so much?

Zippy is a kangaroo and has been UA’s mascot since 1953. Zippy is also one of only a couple special mascots in the nation. That is because Zippy is a she.

That’s right, Zippy is a female.

UA’s loveable mascot is one of only two female mascots in the country. This is no surprise to President Luis Proenza.

Well, as you know, a kangaroo is a unique animal, and a kangaroo who has a pouch is a female, Proenza said. For the most part, nobody worries about the gender.

Zippy is ubiquitously loved.

While Zippy is a happy-go-lucky Akron gal, she also has a competitive side.

The Fear the Roo campaign, sponsored by the university, portrays what most assume to be Zippy, but in the role of a fierce marsupial.

One of the students who plays the mascot, Eric Baker, said he doesn’t mind dressing as a woman to play Zippy.

It is what it is, and you’re the face of the university, he said. There’s got to be a reason we’re the No. 1 mascot in the nation.

There’s a uniqueness to Zippy.

If Zippy is the face of the university, does that mean all kangaroo’s UA uses to represent itself, such as that in the Fear the Roo campaign, are Zippy?

That’s the implication in the Fear the Roo; it’s not the friendly and inviting Zippy we see bouncing around at the games, said Hunter Yurachek, Executive Associate Director of Athletics. It’s the more mean and aggressive Zippy.

Patrick Tohill, another student who dresses as Zippy, agreed that the aggressive Zippy is necessary.

I think it’s just one of those things somebody thought up and I’m sure that they put a little more intimidating look for that, but obviously if you go see Zippy around kids Zippy is not intimidating like that, Tohill said. It’s more for the teams rather than for herself, because it’s like saying hey here is Akron, and we don’t come to lose, we’re actually coming to play.

Regardless of how mean Zippy may appear representing UA’s athletic teams, Proenza said it doesn’t effect her overall character.

The character Zippy is the one you know and love, he said. What you’re looking at is two different representations.

There was quite a bit of debate some time ago about whether we would ever have a kangaroo that was intimidating, Proenza said.

But can a kangaroo really intimidate those who live in Akron – a city accustomed to crime?

Baker said yes.

Zippy is the protector of Akron, he said. Zippy is protecting the homefront for the good that it is and weeding it out for all the evil.

Just like in the Capital One Bowl.

As for the Capital One Bowl, Zippy still needs students to vote for her.

We are the smallest school in this (competition) and we’re going to have to step it up that much more, Baker said. I knew we would be good and we’d put up a fight, but I never thought we’d be 9 and 0.

The post season begins after the 12-week mascot challenge. In this, according to Baker, voting counts for elimination.

The postseason is three rounds. Zippy is on a bye week the first round because she is the number one seat.

According to Baker, however, the second round will be the toughest. He said fan support from other schools will likely increase in the pastseason.

It’s definitely going to be brutal, Baker said.

Regardless of the outcome, Athletic Director Mack Rhoades said Zippy has already represented UA well.

The latest commercial that was out with Zippy making a hole-in-one on the golf course I thought was tremendous, Rhoades said. We’ve received a lot of positive comments on that.

We’re hoping Zippy wins the championship.

Voting in the Capital One Bowl Mascot Open will end on Nov. 24. Votes can be cast for Zippy online at www.Capitalonebowl.com.

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” #1.1361507:4194800224.jpg:20071115_zippy_jh_NEW.jpg:Zippy can be seen all over campus, including inside President Luis Proenza’s office, where there is a miniature Zippy ‘shrine’ with kangaroos collected from all over the world.:GRAPHIC BY JENNIFER SPURRIER / THE BUCHTELITE ? PHOTOS BY KIM GRAHAM / THE BUCHTELITE”