Uga (mascot)

Uga ( ) is the official live mascot of the University of Georgia Bulldogs. Since Uga I's introduction in 1956, every Uga has been owned by the Sonny Seiler family of Savannah, Georgia.

Background

thumb|left|200px|Uga VI, the official live mascot of the Georgia Bulldogs from 1999–2008

The Uga mascots started in 1956, when Seiler brought a bulldog that was given to him as a wedding present, by Frank Heard, at Georgia Bulldogs' first home game of the season. Afterwards, head coach Wally Butts asked his permission to use the dog as Georgia's mascot, and around the same time a University of Georgia Law School fellow student and friend Billy Young suggested that he name it Uga, a play on the common "UGA" abbreviation of the University of Georgia. Since then, every official Uga has been owned by and lived with the Seiler family in Savannah, Georgia. They also transport him to and from the events he attends as mascot.

Traditionally, the incumbent Uga is present at every Georgia Bulldogs home football game, many away games, and other university-related functions and sports events, and usually wears a spiked collar and red jersey with varsity letter. The red jersey is Uga's typical "uniform," though he wears a green jersey on St. Patrick's Day. Won one Southeastern Conference football title (1959) and one Orange Bowl (1960). Sanford Stadium Epitaph: Damn Good Dog In 1996, he famously lunged at Auburn wide receiver Robert Baker after he scored a touchdown. The pictures and video of this incident have been widely circulated as a symbol of the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry. Epitaph: Defender of His Turf Epitaph: A Big Dog For A Big Job, And He Handled It Well – Also named in honor of Loran Smith. His tenure ended abruptly near the end of his second season when he died of heart failure on November 19, 2009. Epitaph: Gone Too Soon – Named in honor of University of Georgia veterinarian Dr. Bruce Hollett. He was introduced at the October 16, 2010, homecoming game against Vanderbilt. On January 7, 2011, UGA officials announced that Uga VIII had been diagnosed with canine lymphoma, which led to his death on February 4, 2011.

Uga IX ("Russ", 2012–15; interim mascot, 2009–12) – After the death of Uga VII, his five-year-old half-brother, Russ, was selected as interim mascot for the final two games of the 2009 season. He continued as interim mascot for the first six games of the 2010 season and participated in a "passing of the collar" ceremony for Uga VIII before the Homecoming game against Vanderbilt. Less than three months later, Russ was once again called on to serve at the 2010 AutoZone Liberty Bowl, due to a then-unspecified illness suffered by Uga VIII (later revealed to be canine lymphoma). Russ served during the entire 2011 season as interim mascot, and UGA Director of Athletics Greg McGarity announced on August 30, 2012, that Russ received a "battlefield promotion" and would assume the title of Uga IX. The official ceremony was conducted prior to the Georgia vs. Florida Atlantic home football game on Saturday, September 15, 2012. Uga IX died of natural causes on December 21, 2015, at 11 years-old. He was the only official Uga mascot to date that had visible brown markings, as other members were selected for an all-white hair coat or had markings that were hidden from view by the jersey. Epitaph: He endeared himself to the Georgia people. His dedication to duty when called upon was exemplary.
Uga X ("Que", 2015–23) – Won two SEC championships (2017, 2022), one Rose Bowl (2018), one Sugar Bowl (2020), two Peach Bowls (2021, 2022), one Orange Bowl (2021) and two CFP National Championships (2022, 2023). A grandson of Uga IX, he was introduced at the November 21, 2015, game against Georgia Southern. At his retirement, he was the winningest Uga by total number of wins and percentage. In 2022, Uga X, and by extension all Uga's, were inducted in the Mascot Hall of Fame. Uga X died on January 23, 2024, at the age of 10. Epitaph: 'Nuff Said
Uga XI ("Boom," 2023–present) – Won two SEC championships (2024, 2025) and one Orange Bowl (2023). The collar was passed to Uga XI prior to the G-Day public spring scrimmage on April 15, 2023.

Temporary mascots

Since 1956, four other bulldogs (three of which were from the Uga family line) have served as temporary sideline mascots when the current Uga was not available. The bulldog later known as Uga IX served two terms as an interim mascot before officially becoming Uga IX.

Bugga Lou – 1971 – This unrelated, female, brown-and-white bulldog filled in for an ailing Uga II at the South Carolina and Florida games during the 1971 season.
Argos/Knute – 1972 – The dog's given name at birth was Argos, but he had been given to another family member and had his name changed to Knute before he was called into service. Knute served as interim 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.
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.
"Sir William" 1892 – A goat. Appeared at the Georgia–Mercer game on January 30, 1892 and first Auburn–Georgia game on February 22, 1892. It was dressed in a black coat with the letters "U.G." in red on each side.
Mr. Angel – 1944–46 – Mr. Angel was a brindle-and-white English Bulldog owned by Warren Coleman, a physician from Eastman, Georgia.
Butch and Tuffy – 1947–48 (both), 1948–51 (only Butch) – Butch and Tuffy were brindled English Bulldogs owned by Mabry Smith of Warner Robins, Georgia. Smith agreed to loan the dogs to the University for use as mascots after bringing them to the 1946 Georgia Tech game (which was the final game of the 1946 regular season). Tuffy died of a heart attack after the 1948 Kentucky game, but Butch served by himself until he was shot and killed by a Warner Robins policeman while roaming the streets in the summer of 1951 after escaping from his pen.
Mike – 1951–55 – Mike was a brindled English Bulldog owned by C.L. Fain, and during his time as mascot, he lived in the campus field house. Mike died due to natural causes in 1955. A bronze likeness of Mike stands outside of Memorial Hall on Georgia's campus near Sanford Stadium.

Reception

Sports Illustrated have repeatedly named Uga college football's best live animal mascot and has called the Georgia mascot "one of the most recognizable traditions in sports." Joe Kovac Jr of The Macon Telegraph in explaining the fame of Uga says "The dog has become an ambassador on a leash. The college’s legions of alums and scores of otherwise unassociated fans who root, cheer and go woof-woof-woof for its teams for no other reason than the fact that they are the home team, view Uga as, well, Bulldog Nation in fur."

The University of Georgia has faced criticism for allegedly perpetuating a problematic emphasis on purebred lineage, raising concerns about ethical considerations in the breeding of bulldogs. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), have argued that "the public doesn't want to see animals used as props or forced to perform." Additionally, English bulldogs have developed myriad health conditions due to inbreeding — including breathing difficulties, hip dysplasia and heart disorders - which many descendants of Uga have died from.

Background

Temporary mascots

Reception

See also

Notes

References