Courtesy: Jeff Harwell-Zips Sports Photography Akron's mascot Zippy has been delighting fans for more than 50 years.

AKRON, Ohio – Zippy, the University of Akron’s mascot, has been named to the sixth annual Capital One All-America Mascot Team and will be featured in a national advertising campaign that will give fans the opportunity to vote on-line for the Capital One Mascot of the Year.

“We are very proud and honored our mascot, Zippy, has been selected from a national pool to participate in this very selective competition,” said UA Director of Athletics Mack Rhoades. “It’s great exposure for the Athletics Department, the University and for the entire Akron community. We encourage all supporters of Akron athletics to vote for Zippy in this unique event.”

Starting on September 10th, fans can vote for their favorite mascot at www.capitalonebowl.com. The winner will be announced during the Capital One Bowl on January 1.

Akron’s energetic kangaroo was one of 12 mascots selected to compete in a weekly head-to-head match-up with mascots from across the country. Joining Zippy on the All-America Mascot Team are Seymour from the University of Southern Mississippi, Cosmo Cougar from Brigham Young, Otto from Syracuse, Hairy Dawg from Georgia, Joe Bruin from UCLA, Goldy Gopher from Minnesota, Cavman from Virginia, Monte from Montana, HokieBird from Virginia Tech, Cocky from South Carolina and Big Red from Western Kentucky.

This year’s national advertising campaign will feature the mascots participating in the Capital One Mascot Open, a series of unusual – and fictitious – golf competitions. In addition to the hoopla, the University of Akron received $5,000 for its mascot program and can win an additional $5,000 scholarship fund to help support its mascot program if Zippy is named mascot of the year.

“We created this contest to celebrate the unsung heroes of college football,” said Steve Schooff, a spokesperson from Capital One. “Last year, a cougar from Washington State clawed its way to the pinnacle of mascot stardom. This year, we’re looking forward to see what mascot can put their best claw, paw or talon forward to ascend to the throne of Capital One Mascot of the Year.”

The fan vote is the sole determinant of the winner. Voting consists of 11 weekly head-to-head match-ups between the All-Americans. The mascots with the best win/loss records will face off in online playoffs starting in November. The winner will be announced Capital One National Mascot of the Year on January 1, 2008 during the Capital One Bowl.

“Mascots work as hard as anyone on the field, but are lost in the shadows of the flashy all-star quarterbacks and running backs,” said Dr. Roy Yarbrough, mascot guru and historian. “This is a great tribute to them, and fans should show their support. Bragging rights are on the line.”

This year’s fuzzy crew was chosen from Division IA and IAA athletic programs with college football teams. They made the squad after being ranked on mascot musts such as interaction with fans, originality and pedigree. The panel of judges included Dr. Yarbrough and representatives from ESPN and Capital One.