World's Best Bird? It's up to your votes for Awesome Eagle

Click here to vote EVERY DAY for Awesome Eagle

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Will Awesome Eagle be voted the Best Mascot in the OVC? He has already won back-to-back national championships, so it's up to Tennessee Tech fans to vote for him to be named the best in the OVC!

Delta Dental of Tennessee and the Ohio Valley Conference have teamed up again for this year's OVC Mascot Challenge. Fans, students, faculty and alumni can vote for their favorite OVC Mascot between Feb. 17 and March 4, 2015. There are 12 OVC Mascots included in the competition. SIUE's Eddie the Cougar won last year's Mascot Challenge, receiving more than 3,400 votes.

"The OVC Mascot Challenge has proven to be a fierce competition between our 12 schools," said Beth DeBauche, OVC Commissioner. "OVC students, faculty, alumni and fans have great pride in their mascots. Each school wants their mascot to be the best in their conference and earn bragging rights for an entire year. We are grateful to Delta Dental of Tennessee for their continued support of this effort to promote and celebrate OVC schools."

The competing OVC Mascots are:  Austin Peay – The Governor, Belmont – Bruiser the Bruin, Eastern Illinois – Billy the Panther, Eastern Kentucky – The Colonel, Jacksonville State – Cocky, Morehead State – Beaker, Murray State – Dunker, Southeast Missouri – Rowdy, SIUE – Eddie the Cougar, Tennessee State – Aristocat, Tennessee Tech – Awesome Eagle, UT Martin – Captain.

Fans can vote once a day at www.OVCMascotChallenge.com.

Voting concludes at 12 pm on March 4. The Mascot with the most votes will earn "bragging rights" and their school will be awarded $1000 for the general scholarship fund. The winner of the 2015 OVC Mascot Challenge will be announced at the OVC Tournament in March.

"We love working with the Ohio Valley Conference to celebrate the power and pride of their mascots. Mascots are so important to sharing your message and promoting your brand. Our mascot, Marshall Molar, teaches kids across the state the importance of good oral health," said Phil Wenk, D.D.S., president and CEO, Delta Dental of Tennessee. "We are proud to support OVC schools and believe the OVC Mascot Challenge is a fun way to promote healthy competition between the twelve schools."

Delta Dental of Tennessee combines the largest national network of dentists with a focus on the unique dental insurance needs of every individual we serve. Good oral health is essential to a healthy life and Delta Dental of Tennessee makes taking care of your smile easy with access to care, comprehensive benefits, exceptional service, and superior value. Delta Dental of Tennessee is an affiliate of Renaissance Health Service Corporation, which includes Delta Dental plans in Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Ohio. For dental made simple, choose Delta Dental. Visit us at http://www.DeltaDentalTN.com.