The First ACC Mascot in the Hall
Yes, He’s Actually a Fruit
Syracuse, NY · Various Sports
★Mascot Hall of Fame — Class of 2023
| Team / Organization | Syracuse Orange |
|---|---|
| Location | Syracuse, NY |
| League / Division | NCAA (ACC) |
| First Debuted | Early 1980s (officially recognized as the primary mascot in the 1990s) |
| Species / Type | Orange (anthropomorphic citrus fruit) |
| Best Known For | First ACC mascot in the Hall of Fame; sharp social media presence; beloved across all Syracuse sports |
| Year Inducted | 2023 |
Profile
Otto the Orange — a giant anthropomorphic citrus fruit — represents one of the boldest mascot concepts in college sports. He is, without question, a fruit. He’s also one of the most beloved mascots in the ACC and was the first from that conference to earn a Mascot Hall of Fame induction. His social media presence is one of the sharpest and funniest in college athletics.
Fun Facts
- More than 100 different students have donned the Otto costume since his debut, making him a shared identity across generations of Syracuse students rather than a single performer’s career.
- Otto was a finalist for the 2007 and 2008 Mascot Hall of Fame classes before finally being inducted in 2023 — a 16-year journey that only added to his legend among Syracuse fans.
- He’s widely regarded as having one of the best social media voices in college athletics — his X (Twitter) account is known for sharp, quick wit that frequently goes viral during college basketball season.
