Otto can often be seen at Syracuse sporting events in the JMA Wireless Dome, at other venues and regularly across the university's campus.

[3][4] The character was born out of a hoax from a report by student humor magazine Orange Peel, in which it was claimed that a 16th-century Onondaga chief was unearthed while digging the foundation for the women's gymnasium in 1928.

[2] During the 1978 season, the University introduced a Roman gladiator dressed in orange armor, but the idea proved largely unpopular among fans, who regularly booed the mascot.

[3][4] In the 1980s, a new Syracuse University mascot emerged and was described by Sports Illustrated in 1984 as a "juiced-up, bumbling citrus fruit from which two legs protrude", and quickly became popular on campus.

University administration considered introducing a new mascot – a wolf ("An Orange Pack of Wolves"[2]) or lion were likely candidates – but the student body supported Otto.

[18] Similar body builds are required so not one Otto stands out; performers need to be the desired height of 5 feet and 10 inches.

The orange costume weighs about 10 pounds,[8] and stunts, dances, gestures and general movement are all practiced and routinized.

Mascot Hall of Fame describes Otto as energetic and enthusiastic, friendly and approachable, and mischievous and curious.