Uga (mascot)

Uga VII
220x177 Uga VII's debut against Georgia Southern, August 30, 2008
University	University of Georgia
Conference	SEC
Description	English bulldog
Origin of name	University of GeorgiA
First seen	1956
Related mascot(s)	Hairy Dawg

Uga (pronounced UGLY-assed-dawg) 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. 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. 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 seven dogs to carry the name "Uga", which is derived from an abbreviation for the University of GeorgiA. Each is the son of his predecessor, and each is a solid white English Bulldog. Deceased Ugas are interred in a mausoleum near the main entrance to Sanford Stadium. An epitaph describing each dog graces the mausoleum nameplates. Several Uga's 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.

Although there have been seven Ugas to date, one other bulldog, Otto, from the same family line, has served as the sideline mascot. Uga IV, sidelined with knee ligament damage after jumping off a hotel bed prior to a game against Vanderbilt, was replaced by Otto, compiling a 3-1 record before Uga IV was fit to return to duty. Otto has been named the favorite by former legendary coach Vince Dooley, because he "came off the bench" and got the job done.

Uga VI passed away 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 mast. Published reports touted Uga VI's win-loss record in Georgia football as the best in the University's history.

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.

Genealogy of Uga namesakes

• Uga I ("Hood's Ole Dan," 1956-1966) - the original, a descendant 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 I had a record of 53-48-6.
• Uga II ("Ole Dan's Uga," 1966-1972) - two Southeastern Conference (SEC) football titles (1966 and 1968) and one national title (1968 Litkenhaus poll). Had a record of 42-16-3.
• 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 III went 71-32-2.
• 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 IV had a record of 77-27-4 during his tenure.
  • Otto ("The Substitute," 1986) - When Uga IV injured his left hind knee jumping off a hotel bed before a contest against Vanderbilt in 1986 his older brother Otto replaced him for four games, going 3-1.
• 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; propelled to the national spotlight when he lunged at an Auburn wide receiver, Robert Baker, during a game in 1996. Had a record of 65-39-1.
• 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. However, most notable is Uga VI's record of 87-27 during his nine seasons. The most of any Uga.
• Uga VII ("Uga VI's Loran's Best," 2008-) Uga VII's current record is 9-3.

The names "Magillicuddy" and "Whatchagot Loran" were given in honor of longtime Georgia icons Dan Magill and Loran Smith, respectively (when lead radio announcer Larry Munson calls Smith for a sideline report, he asks "Whatchagot Loran?").

See also

• Bulldog breeds
• Damn Good Dog - a documentary detailing the history of the Uga dynasty
• List of Bulldog mascots

External links

• Uga Through The Years
• FindAGrave.com entries for all mascots buried at Sanford Stadium

Other reading

• A Damn Good Dog Turns 50!, by Dawn Downes in the October, 2006 Atlanta DogLife Magazine (link to magazine)