The next face of Syracuse University will be selected within the next week, but the lucky student won’t be recognized by his or her peers. That’s because he or she will be hidden under sneakers, blue track pants and a large orange sphere.

On Monday, Syracuse Athletics’ Spirit Program will be holding auditions to fill one spot on the team that portrays Otto the Orange, SU’s mascot. The first round of auditions will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday at Manley Field House.

“We’re looking for the right person to fit this team,” said Julie Huynh, the mascot coach. “They need to have enthusiasm, school spirit, and be responsible and honorable. It’s lots of responsibility.”

Huynh, who has overseen Otto the Orange since 2007, said the newest member of the Otto team must be a full-time undergraduate student between 5 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 10 inches tall. They should be fairly athletic and loaded with Orange pride.

Huynh also said SU Athletics is taking a different approach to recruiting new Ottos. Traditionally, Otto auditions were more mysterious and nearly impossible to hear about. This year, however, tryouts have been publicized around campus and during orientation events, like Home to the Dome, for the incoming freshman class.

Still, one tradition will continue, Huynh said. The newest Otto will have to remain anonymous.

Despite this, Huynh said there are a lot of positives Otto brings to the table.

“There’s something about believing in the spirit of SU that’s manifested in Otto,” Huynh said. “Otto is SU’s biggest fan in any capacity — and best cheerleader. He’s also SU’s best PR tool. Everyone loves Otto.”

Senior television, radio and film major Aaron Frank was an Otto from 2010-2011, donning the mascot’s uniform for one basketball season and one football season. He also acknowledged the powerful role that Otto plays.

Frank said he originally became interested in being a mascot after talking to family friend and alumni representative Mitch Messinger, who was also Otto during his time at SU. Frank decided that if he went to SU, he would be Otto.

He said he enjoyed many of the perks of being Otto, most notably performing at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum when SU played the University of Southern California in September 2011. His favorite memories, though, came from interacting with young Orange fans.

“I loved every time I had to interact with kids, either at games or anywhere around campus,” Frank said. “Because to them, you are Otto the Orange. The look that they give you is unforgettable.”

But performing as Otto did not come without its challenges. Frank said that not being able to talk was the most difficult aspect of the job. He said Otto needed to have a strong work ethic, as it takes near daily collaboration with the other members of the Otto team.

He said it showed him a lot about being selfless and working for others.

“It taught me a lot about being modest. I normally like to take the credit, but for my time as Otto, I was totally anonymous,” Frank said.

For more information about the audition process, email otto@syr.edu.

Published on September 2, 2013 at 9:45 am

Contact Vincent: vtloncto@syr.edu