Canisius University Athletics

Follow Petey on Twitter: @PeteyGriffin
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A mythical creature of supposed gigantic size that has the head, forelegs and wings of an eagle and tail and ears of a lion, Petey Griffin is the official mascot of Canisius University athletic teams.
 
Known for their speed, ability to fly, and having eyes like an eagle as well as the strength and courage of a lion, Griffins have been known for centuries as symbols of strength and vigilance. They have been called “The hounds of Zeus” in Greek mythology and are said to have mastery of both the land and sky.
 
The Griffin became the symbol for Canisius Athletics in 1932. It was inspired by LaSalle's Le Griffon, the first European ship to sail the upper Great Lakes, built in Buffalo.
 
The name Petey came into being in 2001 after it was chosen in a vote held by the Canisius Student-Athlete Advisory Council. He is named in honor of St. Peter Canisius, for whom the college is named after. 
 
Steve Weller wrote in the Buffalo News Jan. 22, 1962. “You can have your Chihuahuas, Piranhas, Horned Frogs and Iguanas. The best all-around athletic mascot in business today has to be the beast adopted by Canisius College – The Golden Griffin.”
 
The only NCAA Division I institution that uses a Griffin as its mascot, Petey attends every Canisius sporting contest he can, showing his support for the teams while also greeting fellow Canisius fans in the crowd.   
 
Petey’s other activities include making appearances at various campus locations for Canisius events and promotions, attending birthday parties, and visiting children's hospitals and local schools for holiday events with varsity student-athletes. Petey also sends out a monthly newsletter to young fans that are part of the Jr. Griffs Club.
 
Petey has been featured on a variety of national outlets, including ESPN, Sports Illustrated and NCAA.com. He was voted the Best Catholic Mascot in the Bustedhalo.com 32-team Catholic Mascotology Tournament in 2013 and has finished in the top four of the College Court Report Mascot Mayhem Challenge on two occasions.
 
His rival mascots are Monte the Purple Eagle from Niagara, Buffalo’s Victor E. Bull and St. Bonaventure’s Bona Wolf. His mascot friends include Buster Bison, Billy Buffalo and Sabretooth.