JJ Jayhawk, the earthbound bird mascot for SUNY Jamestown Community College, was eliminated in the third round of voting for “Mascot Madness,” an annual tradition that brings State University of New York mascots together in a decade-old competition to determine the most popular mascot.

Jayhawk fell by 30 votes to Ellsworth Eagle from SUNY Brockport, whose enrollment is nearly 7,000 students.

“Thank you to everyone who rallied and voted to support me and JCC,” said Jayhawk. “We have never made it past the first round before and this year proves we can unite as a community and make things happen.”

Similar to the annual NCAA March Madness basketball tournament, 32 mascots were sectioned into four regions. The fourth round of voting begins Friday. The remaining field of mascots stands at four contenders. Ellsworth Eagle will move on to face Oakie of SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

Kayla Crosby, director of Campus Life at Jamestown CC, enjoyed the competition and thought it was good for students to see the community rally behind JJ.

“JJ is an extension of all of us in some ways,” Crosby said. “Maybe you are a graduate of the college or currently are a student, or your child studied here or is a student now, or maybe you know someone that works here. It makes all of us feel good and proud of our school when the community gets behind us like they did. We’re thankful for the support.”