Chris Sawyer, a 2004 graduate of Syracuse University, lost his battle with cancer yesterday and passed away.
During his residency at the university, Sawyer prowled the Carrier Dome sidelines, lending his substantial personality to the school's mascot -- Otto the Orange. Following his time on The Hill, Sawyer spent some time plying his trade as mascot to the Brockton Rox, an independent baseball team located in Brockton, Massachusetts.
During my time as an undergraduate I had the good fortune of getting to know Chris. Though our interactions were limited to football and basketball jaunts (as well as various social occasions), it was hard not to recognize how affable and open Chris was as a person. His interaction with fans of all makes and sizes was terrific, and outside the guise of Otto, his true-life personality was just as marked.
The authors of this notebook extend our condolences to Chris' family and friends. Should any information become available regarding donations made in Chris' honor, it will be posted here.
My favorite memory of Sawyer was when he crowd surfed during his last game as Otto from the bottom of the student section in the blue seats all the way up and into a luxury box. This was after the cheerleading coach told him not to of course. One of the best/coolest sights in my time on the hill in the Dome. He was an amazing person and Syracuse University lost a great alumnus who really cared about his alma mater.
Nice thoughts.
My condolences to the Sawyer family and those who knew Chris. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I know his Otto performances brought joy to others.
Great article, thanks for honoring a guy who lived to make others smile. Chris became a great friend during his 9 months as a professional hockey mascot in Indianapolis. The guy can light up any room any time. In one word, he is unforgettable. The world is a better place because Chris lived in it, and lived his short life to the fullest
Looking at the traffic logs over the last two days, a lot of visitors to this notebook have arrived due to search engine queries regarding Chris.
Please, feel free to leave your memories and comments about Chris. Given all the kind words said about him recently, he truly was a great Syracuse alumnus and, more importantly, a great person.