Toledo Walleye Have First Official Mascot
(Toledo, OH) – Toledo Arena Sports, Inc. and the Toledo Zoo are pleased to announce that Wally The Walleye™ has become the official mascot of the Toledo Walleye Hockey Club.
Wally will be available for interviews at a press conference today at 11:00 am at the Lake Erie Exhibit in the Toledo Zoo’s Aquarium but don’t hold your breath for much of a verbal response to the news.
The easiest way to spot Wally will be the white spot located on his caudal fin.
Head Coach, Nick Vitucci said, “Wally is a great choice to be the official mascot of the team. He has a great work ethic, a superb slapshot, and a winning attitude. I know that he will be excited to welcome all of the hockey fans when they visit him at the Zoo.”
Wally the Walleye’s Story
Wally’s journey certainly has been an interesting one. It all started on February 20, 2008 when the official word came that Toledo’s ECHL team would be known as the Toledo Walleye. Head Coach, Nick Vitucci found himself looking for some inspiration.
After checking out the construction progress, Vitucci was taking a stroll along the Maumee River, eyeing some of the local fish when, lo and behold, one in particular literally jumped to get his attention. Vitucci took the bait - hook, line and sinker! Nick looked at his feet and there was Wally.
Impressed with his moves, Nick knew this fish would have the talent & heart to be the official team mascot but where would he live? Nick knew he needed a good home with lots of water and people who could take good care of him. That’s when it hit him like a ton of fish food…the Toledo Zoo.
Wally will make his home at the Lake Erie Exhibit in the Toledo Zoo’s Aquarium and fans are encouraged to visit him year round. Wally is excited and slightly overwhelmed with ideas to help motivate and entertain his new fans. His problem is that he really would be “a fish out of water” if he tried the things he was hoping to do. Therefore, in the months to come, Wally will be doing his own recruiting for other team representatives that he can send over to the arena to execute his cheer tactics.
*Wally The Walleye’s™ name was picked based on suggestions from a “Name The Mascot” contest in conjunction with the Toledo Blade & The Andersons.
Other famous live mascots include Uga (University of Georgia Bulldogs), Bevo (University of Texas Longhorns), Ralphie (University of Colorado Buffalos)
Press Release Contact Name: Jason Griffin
Press Release Contact Email: [email protected]
Press Release Contact Phone: (419) 725-4371
Organization Name: Toledo Arena Sports
Organization Address: Toledo, OH