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Uga (mascot)

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Uga
Uga I
UniversityUniversity of Georgia
ConferenceSEC
DescriptionEnglish bulldog
Origin of nameUniversity of GeorgiA
First seen1956
Related mascot(s)Hairy Dawg

Uga (pronounced UH-guh) is the name of a lineage of English Bulldogs owned by Frank W. "Sonny" Seiler, which have served as the mascot of the University of Georgia (UGA) since 1956.[1] Although the University is located in Athens, Georgia, the dogs have lived with the Seilers in Savannah, Georgia.

In addition to Uga, a person in the costume of a bulldog also performs as Hairy Dawg at Georgia Bulldog athletic events.

Background

The dogs, tended by members of the Seiler family, are present at every Georgia Bulldogs home football game, most away games, and many University-related functions. Uga wears a spiked collar and a red jersey with varsity letter. In 2007, he wore a black jersey for the "Blackout" game against Auburn University. Uga is friendly and outgoing, and loves to lick children who attend the games. His jersey is made from the same fabric as the players' official game jerseys. Uga is even issued an official student identification card. Uga travels in an air conditioned dog house and sits on bags of ice at games, as the breed is susceptible to heat stroke (a problem in the humid southeastern United States).

To date, there have been eight dogs to carry the name "Uga", which is derived from an abbreviation for the University of GeorgiA. Each is a descendant of the original Uga, usually being the son of the predecessor. Deceased Ugas are interred in a mausoleum near the main entrance to Sanford Stadium. An epitaph describing each dog graces the mausoleum nameplates. Several Ugas have "retired" as part of elaborate pre-game ceremonies, during which there is a "passing of the bone" and the new Uga begins his reign. Uga even has his own cheer, "Damn good dog!" that the fans shout, during the ceremony. This tradition dates back to the very first Uga.

Uga VI died of congestive heart failure on Friday, June 27, 2008. Seiler reported that on the evening of his death Uga VI "was breathing heavily" and died soon thereafter. University of Georgia Athletics Director Damon Evans called the date of Uga VI's death "a sad day for the entire Bulldog Nation." As on any sad day for the University of Georgia, the university's flag was flown at half staff. Published reports touted Uga VI's win-loss record in Georgia football as the best in the University's history.[2]

Uga VII was named as "Uga VI's Loran's Best" on Friday August 29, 2008, the day before the school's first home game of the 2008 season. He was officially introduced on Saturday, August 30, 2008, at that game, which UGA won.[3][4] Uga VII died on November 19, 2009, from a heart attack.[5] His doghouse was left vacant, with a wreath placed on it, for the game on November 21 against Kentucky.[6] Russ, another bulldog from the Uga family line, filled in as an "interim mascot" for the Georgia Tech game and the bowl game, similar to Otto stepping in for Uga IV. UGA went on to win both games under Russ's watch.[7] Regarding the selection of a permanent mascot, however, the Seilers have said, "There’s lineage out there we can depend on in unforeseen cases such as this."[8]

On October 16, 2010, during a ceromony before the homecoming game against Vanderbilt, the collar and role of Uga was passed to "Big Bad Bruce", making him Uga VIII.[9]

On January 7, 2011, the university reported that Uga VIII has been diagnosed with lymphoma but is responding well to treatment.[10] However, Uga VIII died on February 4, 2011. Russ will again serve as interim mascot.[11]

Genealogy of Uga namesakes

Records for each mascot
Dog W L T Pct
Uga I 53 48 6 .523
Uga II 42 16 3 .713
Uga III 71 32 2 .684
Uga IV 77 24 4 .731
Uga V 65 39 1 .624
Uga VI 87 27 0 .763
Uga VII 16 7 0 .696
Uga VIII 4 2 0 .667
  • Uga I ("Hood's Ole Dan", 1956–1966) – the original, a grandson of a bulldog that accompanied the Georgia football team to its Rose Bowl victory and national championship in 1942. One SEC football title (1959).
  • Uga II ("Ole Dan's Uga", 1966–1972) – two Southeastern Conference (SEC) football titles (1966 and 1968) and one national title (1968 Litkenhaus poll).
  • Uga III ("Seiler's Uga Three", 1972–1981) – presided over Georgia's second consensus national championship season in 1980 and two SEC championships (1976 and 1980).
  • Uga IV ("Uga III's Magillicuddy/Seiler's Uga Four", 1981–1990) – was the first live mascot ever invited to a Heisman trophy presentation in 1982 when, while wearing a tux, Uga IV accompanied Herschel Walker to the Downtown Athletic Club; two SEC championships (1981 and 1982).
  • Uga V ("Uga IV's Magillicuddy II", 1990–1999) – portrayed his father, Uga IV, in the motion picture Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil and was on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1997;[12] propelled to the national spotlight when he lunged at an Auburn wide receiver, Robert Baker, during a game in 1996.
  • Uga VI ("Uga V's Whatchagot Loran", 1999–2008) – two SEC championships (2002 and 2005), two Sugar Bowl victories (2003 and 2008), and more than 20 victories over ranked opponents, more than any Uga before him. Uga VI was also larger than any of his predecessors, weighing in at 65 pounds. Uga VI has the best winning percentage and most wins overall of any Uga.
  • Uga VII ("Uga VI's Loran's Best", 2008–2009)[13] – his tenure ended abruptly, near the end of his second season, when he died of heart failure on November 19, 2009.
  • Uga VIII ("Big Bad Bruce", 2010–2011)[9] – introduced at the Oct. 16, 2010, homecoming game against Vanderbilt.[14] On January 7, 2011, UGA officials announced that Uga VIII had been diagnosed with canine lymphoma,[10] which led to his death on February 4.[11]

The names "Magillicuddy," "Loran's Best" and "Whatchagot Loran" were given in honor of longtime Georgia icons Dan Magill and Loran Smith, respectively (when former lead radio announcer Larry Munson called Smith for a sideline report, he asked "Whatchagot Loran?"). Uga VIII, "Big Bad Bruce", is named after UGA veterinarian Dr. Bruce Hollett.[15]

Temporary mascots

Although there have been eight Ugas to date, five other bulldogs (four from the same family line) have served as temporary sideline mascots.

  • Bugga Lou – 1971 – This unrelated, female, brown-and-white bulldog filled in for an ailing Uga II for the South Carolina and Florida games during the 1971 season.[16]
  • Argos/Knute – 1972 – The dog's given name at birth was Argos, but he had been given to another family member and had his named changed to Knute before he was called into service. Knute served as temporary mascot for the first game of the 1972 season against Baylor, since Uga II had died and the future Uga III wasn't deemed to be mature enough to serve yet. Uga III was introduced for the second game of the 1972 season against North Carolina.[16]
  • Otto – 1986 – Otto, the older brother of Uga IV, filled in for him during four games in the 1986 season after Uga IV injured his left hind knee jumping off a hotel bed prior to a game against Vanderbilt. Otto finished with a 3–1 record. He also served as co-mascot for the Georgia Tech game that year with Uga IV. Legendary former coach Vince Dooley has said that Otto was his favorite Georgia mascot, "because he came off the bench and got the job done."[16][17]
  • Magillicuddy I – 1989 – He filled in for an ailing Uga IV, his brother, at the 1989 Peach Bowl. Uga IV died after the end of the 1989 season, but Magillicuddy was considered to be too old to be named the new mascot.[16]
  • Russ – 2009–2010 – After the death of Uga VII, his five-year-old half-brother, Russ, filled in for Georgia's 30–24 upset of in-state rival Georgia Tech, the 44–20 Independence Bowl win over Texas A&M, and the beginning of the 2010 season. Russ served as the Bulldogs' mascot until Homecoming 2010 when he abdicated his collar to Uga VIII before the game against the Vanderbilt Commodores.[7][18] Because of illness of Uga VIII, Russ was again called to serve as mascot for the 2010 AutoZone Liberty Bowl.[19] Russ will also fill in for Uga VIII after his death.[11]

See also

References

  1. ^ Seiler, Sonny (2006). Damn Good Dogs!: The Real Story of Uga, the University of Georgia's Bulldog Mascots. Champaign, Illinois: Sports Publishing L.L.C. pp. 10–11. ISBN 1596701471. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  2. ^ Atlanta Journal Constitution: UGA statement on Uga VI's death. Retrieved on June 30, 2008.
  3. ^ Atlanta Journal Constitution: Uga VII has arrived, named ‘Loran’s Best’. Retrieved on August 29, 2008.
  4. ^ Atlanta Journal Constitution: Uga VII introduced to Georgia faithful. Retrieved on August 30, 2008.
  5. ^ "Uga VII, Georgia's football mascot, dies". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. November 19, 2009. Retrieved November 19, 2009.
  6. ^ Stevens, Alexis (November 19, 2009). "UGA VII dies". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved November 19, 2009.
  7. ^ a b Tucker, Tim (November 27, 2009). "'Russ' will serve as UGA mascot vs. Tech". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved November 27, 2009.
  8. ^ Stevens, Alexis (November 19, 2009). "No mascot for Saturday's game". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  9. ^ a b Emerson, Bo (October 13, 2010). "Brand new damn good dog". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved October 13, 2010.
  10. ^ a b Swartz, Kristi (January 7, 2011). "UGA VIII has lymphoma, is responding well to treatment". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved January 7, 2011.
  11. ^ a b c "Mascot Uga VIII dies from lymphoma". ESPN. February 4, 2011. Retrieved February 4, 2011.
  12. ^ Stroer, Joan (November 10, 1999). "Uga rated nation's top mascot in Sports Illustrated". Athens Banner-Herald. Athens Newspapers Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  13. ^ UGA Sports Communications: “Loran’s Best” To Become “Uga VII” During Pre-game Ceremonies Saturday
  14. ^ Tucker, Tim (October 5, 2010). "New mascot, Uga VIII, will make debut next week". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
  15. ^ ""Big Bad Bruce" introduced as UGA VIII". Georgia Magazine. Retrieved 24 January 2011.
  16. ^ a b c d King, Bill (November 20, 2009). "A Game Without a Bulldog Makes History". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved November 20, 2009.
  17. ^ "History of Our Mascot". UGA Sports Communications. July 13, 2006. Retrieved January 12, 2008. [dead link]
  18. ^ Augusta Chronicle: Georgia football fans face season of changes
  19. ^ "Mascot Uga VIII sidelined from bowl by illness; 'Russ' returns". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. December 30, 2010. Retrieved December 31, 2010.

Other reading

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