Buzz (mascot)

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Buzz is the official mascot for the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is usually represented as a stylized yellowjacket with yellow-and-black fur, white wings, a yellow head, and antennae. He is almost never drawn with six legs, but rather with arms, legs, hands (in white gloves) and feet (in high-topped sneakers), like a human.

As far as can be determined, the first reference to Tech students as "Yellow Jackets" appeared in the Atlanta Constitution in 1906 and came into common usage at that time. Buzz was developed later based upon that nickname.

At some school events, there are a few people who dress up as buzz. They must be thin, about 5'8" tall, and (preferably) be able to do a front flip, Buzz's trademark move. Buzz is seen at football games, basketball games, Georgia Tech Six Flags Night, and other events.

Buzz is beloved by Georgia Tech students and fans for his spirit and antics. He is a prankster, crowd-surfer, and general fun-loving character who is great with the ladies. Buzz has parachuted onto the field for pre-game, does push-ups every time Tech scores, and conducts the band for the Budweiser Song.

The original Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket mascot was Judi McNair who, according to the Winter 2004 edition of the Georgia Tech Alumni Association "Tech Topics" magazine, donned a homemade yellow jacket costume in 1972 and performed at home football games. She rode on the Ramblin' Wreck and appears in the 1972 Georgia Tech Blueprint yearbook. Judi's mascot was considered a great idea, as it was a big hit with the fans.

In 1979 Judi's idea for a Yellow Jacket was reintroduced by another Georgia Tech student who, apparently unaware of Judi's prior initiative, paid $1400 to have a local theme park costume designer make a yellow jacket costume that he first wore at a pep rally prior to the Tennessee football game. Rather than obtain permission from Georgia Tech as Judi had done in '72, this student, a few weeks later simply snuck onto the field in costume during a football game and ran across the field. The fans naturally believed that this costumed character was acting as an official member of the cheerleading squad and responded accordingly. By 1980 this new incarnation of the yellow jacket mascot was given the name Buzz Bee and was adopted as an official mascot by Georgia Tech.