Bango, the team mascot for the Milwaukee Bucks, was named the NBA Mascot of the Year at the league’s annual mascot meetings in Miami Thursday night. Bango becomes just the fourth mascot to win the award which was awarded by a vote of his peers.

“It is truly an honor for the Bucks organization, and for our fans worldwide to know that Bango has been honored by the NBA mascot community as the NBA Mascot of the Year,” John F. Steinmiller, Bucks vice-president said. “Bango is beloved by all and his efforts on and off the court have made him a true strong character who entertains, supports the cause of many charities and builds a love of reading in young people. Our organization is also proud of the entire Bucks game presentation department and all entertainment units, headed by Director Mike Schnieders. They have collaborated with Bango to present unique Bucks game shows every season.”

Bango begins his 33rd season with the Bucks and he has been energizing and entertaining Bucks fans with his high flying dunks, acrobatic moves and crazy shenanigans. After an ACL injury ended his 2008-09 campaign early, Bango came back in full force during the 2009-10 season to help lead the Bucks to the playoffs for the first time since 2006 and win the Mascot of the Year award. He performed numerous stunts throughout the season, including his incredible dunk off a 16-foot ladder at the Bradley Center during a Bucks playoff game that made national headlines. On September 21, Bango will make an appearance on HBO’s Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel.

The ageless Bango has brought smiles and thrills to Bucks fans at home games, appearances, parades, school assemblies, hospital visits and everywhere Bucks fans celebrate since 1977. He has performed throughout the United States, Canada and in China and will be back at the Bradley Center for the 2010-11 Milwaukee Bucks season.

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2009 NBA MASCOT OF THE YEAR
August 13, 2009

Rumble the Bison, the Oklahoma City Thunder’s team mascot (photo), was named the NBA Mascot of the Year at the league’s annual mascot meetings in Las Vegas Wednesday night. Rumble was given the award by his fellow mascots, who recognized him for developing a mascot program that is regarded as one of the best in the NBA, even though it has only been in existence for six months.

Rumble made his NBA debut Feb. 17 at halftime during the Thunder vs. New Orleans game at the Ford Center. Since then, the crowd-pleasing mascot has not only performed at every Thunder home game, he’s also made hundreds of visits at various community events, including several with the Rolling Thunder Book Bus, presented by American Fidelity Assurance Company, which was also introduced last February.

Rumble continues to stay busy in the off-season by making appearances throughout the greater Oklahoma City region. He is also developing new routines and skits for the upcoming season, which he will debut on opening night Oct. 28.

The busy bison will next appear at the Thunder Summer Caravan presented by MidFirst Bank this Saturday in Yukon and El Reno. The Thunder Summer Caravan will be in Yukon at 9 a.m. at the MidFirst bank located at 1201 W. Vandament and El Reno at 3 p.m. at the 100 N. Rock Island location. He will also be at the caravan stop in Tulsa on Saturday, August 22, at the MidFirst Bank located at 8015 E. 71st Street beginning at 11:00 a.m.

“We are honored that the NBA mascot community has recognized Rumble as the NBA Mascot of the Year,” said Brian Byrnes, the Thunder’s Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service. “A vote of your peers is the ultimate recognition, and we’re very proud of what this organization has accomplished in such a short amount of time. We extend a thunderous thank you to our fans and business partners for embracing Rumble as an extension of our brand and look forward to his continued involvement in our community.”