Which Bull Hooves What it Takes?

There has been pattern of strange behavior by bulls recently. One was jumping, one was hugging a child, and another was doing "the dougie."

Buffalo athletics held its annual tryouts to see who will become the next Victor E. Bull on Thursday. Bulls charged from near and far to see if they had what it takes to be the most recognizable bull in town.

Victor is pumping up crowds, taking pictures, and dancing at Buffalo athletic events, while most bulls stand in a field with a stoic look on their faces.

However, a select few packed their feed buckets and trotted over to the SU Theater to shuffle their hooves and prove they can be the next Victor.

"Victor is just a classic icon," snorted an applicant for the job. "You see him and you're like 'that's a UB Bull right there.' Everything he does is just different, he's just more enthusiastic than any Bull I've ever seen."

The tryout for each applicant starts with some dance moves. While normal bull dance moves are limited to charging matadors and bucking cowboys over their backs, those trying out for Victor need to know how to Cupid Shuffle and Y.M.C.A. Other moves like the worm are always a crowd favorite.

Victor needs to know how to get the crowd into games and celebrate when the team scores. To be the Buffalo mascot, you have to be emotionally attached to game and show disproval of other team's good plays and officials poor calls against Buffalo.

The committee of people screening the potential mascots put them through a gamut of scenarios, ranging from how they'd react after a touchdown or missed field goal, to a blown call leading to a technical foul on the hardwood.

Most importantly, Victor must be able think on his hooves. He must comfort children who are afraid of him and settle them down when they are harassing him. He needs to pump up the crowd when they are too quiet and settle them down when Buffalo is at the free-throw line.

But, being Victor isn't just about getting all the feed and cows a bull could ask for. Victor must be in great shape and be able to run up and down stairs and around Buffalo facilities.

All of which were tested during Thursday's open tryouts that saw no shortage of participants.

The bull who met all the challenges best according to the group selecting the next most recognizable face that can't be seen will spend the next year in the Bull's head. Hopefully the next Victor will be breaking out more of his celebratory dance moves than frustrated faces.

Email:sports@ubspectrum.com