The Syracuse mascot is Otto the Orange. Otto is an anthropomorphism of an orange and has been the official mascot of Syracuse University since December 1995. The Syracuse mascot was originally a Native American character named "The Saltine Warrior" and "Big Chief Bill Orange". In the 1980s, a new Syracuse University mascot emerged and was described by Sports Illustrated in 1984 as a "juiced-up, bumbling citrus fruit from which two legs protrude". For 17 years, the university did not settle on an "official" mascot until the chancellor appointed a group of students and faculty to create a mascot and logo. University administration considered introducing a new mascot (a wolf or lion were likely candidates), but the student body supported Otto. Otto is described as energetic, enthusiastic, passionate, and dedicated.