Durango Steps Up to the Plate for UNO, CWS Partnership

The Mavericks have finally stamped our hoof-print on this grand Omaha tradition, and this bull couldn’t be prouder.

Hello, Omaha and beyond, it’s me, Durango, your favorite horned Maverick mascot, reporting live from Charles Schwab Field. If I sound extra excited, it’s because the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is officially a co-host of the College World Series (CWS) this year.

A Milestone Measured in Mascot Cheers

This partnership is a historic home run for UNO. Our Chancellor calls it “a milestone moment” that boosts UNO’s visibility and gives us Mavericks unique teaching, learning, and research opportunities – fancy words for we get to be part of the action!

We’ve always felt like family to the CWS. After all, Omaha lives and breathes baseball every June, but now it’s official. UNO is stepping up to the plate not just as the hometown cheer squad, but as a true teammate in hosting the CWS.

I’ve been bringing Maverick spirit to local ballgames for decades, and let me tell you, seeing “University of Nebraska at Omaha” on that host banner gives me the kind of goosebumps usually reserved for walk-off homers.

From First Pitches to Mascot Races

As UNO’s mascot, I’ve been around the baseball diamond for a time or two. I’ve probably thrown out the first pitch at more Omaha baseball and softball games than I can count, and my fastball isn’t half bad for a hoofed creature!

But nothing – and I mean nothing – tops the chaos I unleashed at the CWS a couple of years back. Some of you might remember the infamous 2022 CWS Mascot Race Incident™.

Picture this: it’s a sunny day at the ballpark, a few of us mascots line up with some kiddos for a fun race between innings. I’m feeling confident, perhaps a tad too competitive, and when that race started, I took off like I was stealing from home. Let’s just say my coordination didn’t exactly match my enthusiasm. I tangled up with a 6-year-old racer named Logan and boom – down goes Durango, down goes the kid.

Now, I feel awful about the mishap, Durango may be a rascal, but I play fair and love my Mini-Mavs. So, what did we do? We settled it the Maverick way.

A rematch on my home turf.

A few days later, little Logan and his family came out to UNO’s Tal Anderson Field and challenged me to a one-on-one, winner-takes-all race to clear the air. The stands were filled with cheering students and staff. I stretched, the whistle blew, and that kid smoked me. He left me eating his dust by mid-race. We high-fived, laughed, and I officially crowned him the faster mammal.

This partnership between UNO and the College World Series is truly something special. It’s about community, opportunity, and a whole lot of fun. We’re honoring Omaha’s rich baseball legacy while writing a new chapter with the Mavericks at the center. From our students getting real-world experience, to our alumni and fans rallying around the series, to our gorgeous facilities contributing to the game’s future, UNO is here to knock it out of the park.

As Durango, I’ll be there proud, pumped, and probably a little bit chaotic, just how you like me. See you at the ballpark and GO MAVS! 🎉⚾