Durango Takes Center Court: Meet UNO's Mascot

With the hype of March Madness hitting across the country, things are a little extra exciting over here for the Mavericks this year. The University of Nebraska at Omaha’s (UNO) men's basketball team will be going dancing for the first time ever this year. We’re all so proud of the Omaha Athletics team, especially the players and the coaches, however, it feels as though there’s a bright red, hooved, icon being forgotten about.

It’s been the duty of mascots across the country to bring energy, light, and life to crowds on college game days for over a century now, but today, it’s my turn to take center court and tell you how I ended up bringing the vibes inside and outside of the arena at UNO.

I first arrived at UNO all the way back in 1971, when the students voted me to represent our campus. Don’t get me wrong, becoming UNO’s mascot was no easy win. I was almost upstaged by some guy, called a Unicorn, but in the end, they knew I was the guy for the job.

In the early days, Sudden Sam and Victor E. Maverick were often seen on the sidelines of sporting and campus events, before they were declared too unruly.

As a bull, I embody the fearless, independent spirit that defines what it means to be a Maverick. Being a Maverick isn’t about going with the flow, it’s about blazing your own trail, challenging the norm, and charging full speed ahead, just like me.

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Durango, you’re the mascot. You just go out there and have fun.” And yes, while there’s a lot of fun involved, it’s not all just back flips and high-fives. I’m part of the team.

My job is to bring the energy, the enthusiasm, and that unshakable Maverick spirit that runs deep in all of us each and every place I go. Whether it’s pumping up the fans or dancing to the beat of our victory, I’m right there in the action with the rest of our Maverick family.

As we head into March Madness, I’m more excited than ever. I get to show off my mad skills for a bigger audience than ever before, and I swear, I am not doing any races during this tournament.

Mascot life is a wild ride, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Sure, it’s hot, it’s exhausting, sometimes it feels like I’m out here working harder than a caffeine-fueled barista at the Starbucks in Criss Library, but when I see those smiles, hear those cheers, and feel the Maverick spirit fill the arena, I know it’s all worth it.

So, whether you’re sitting courtside, watching at home, or following along on social media, don’t forget to shout out for your favorite mascot! I’ll be out there, dancing, celebrating, and cheering on the Mavericks.