BYU's Cosmo inducted into Mascot Hall of Fame in 2026 class

Key Points:

• Cosmo the Cougar, BYU's mascot, has been inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame for 2026, becoming only the second Utah mascot to receive this honor and the first in 20 years since the Jazz Bear in 2006.
• The selection was based on a combination of public voting and decisions by the Mascot Hall of Fame Executive Committee, with votes coming from over 100 countries, marking one of the most internationally supported elections in the Hall's history.
• Cosmo was recognized for his "gravity-defying" acrobatics and viral halftime performances, including a 2017 dance routine that has garnered over 13 million views on YouTube, establishing him as a "game-changer" in collegiate mascot performance.
• Other 2026 inductees include Cocky (University of South Carolina), Gold Gopher (University of Minnesota), Miles (Denver Broncos), and Mrs. Met (New York Mets), joining a prestigious group that features mascots like The Oriole Bird and Phillie Phanatic.
• The Mascot Hall of Fame highlights mascots' roles in inspiring communities, creating lasting memories, and serving as global ambassadors of happiness, as emphasized by co-founder Christopher Bruce.