Butler Blue II
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Butler Blue II (Nickname: Blue) is the second in a young lineage of English Bulldogs bred by Frank and Jeane King of Kong King Kennels in Lizton, Indiana, which have served as the mascot of Butler University, Indianapolis, Indiana since 2000. Butler Blue II is owned and tended to by Michael Kaltenmark, an 2002 Butler graduate and the university's director of annual giving, and his wife, Tiffany.
Butler Blue II (male) was born March 27, 2004 with his first day of service to Butler coming on May 20, that same year. He currently weighs 60 lbs and features a fawn and white fur coat. Butler Blue II's sire is CH Sandy Ridge Too Right Mate, while his dam is Kongs Margie M.
He is also the nephew of Butler Blue I (female), who served as the first official Butler University live mascot in 2000 before retiring and moving away with her owner and 1991 Butler graduate, Kelli Walker, in 2004. Butler Blue I was named through a contest that allowed university students, alumni and faculty/staff to submit entries to name the new mascot. Butler Blue I's sire is CH Loch Lomond Jean Luc, while her dam is Kongs Bonnie B B.
Butler had a history of "unofficial" bulldog mascots that were kept by various fraternities throughout the years after officially adopting the bulldog as the school's mascot. The school was founded in 1855 by Ovid Butler, who named the school North Western Christian University and selected the "Christians" as the official mascot. In 1875 the school was renamed Butler University in honor of its founder. Soon thereafter, the "Christians" were dropped and renamed the "Bulldogs."
In addition to "Blue," a person in bulldog costume also performs as "Bulldog" for various Butler University athletic and university events.
To date, there have just been two dogs to carry the name "Blue", which is named for the university's primary color. Each has enjoyed the special care of 1992 graduate Butler graduate Dr. Kurt Phillips of Woodland Animal Hospital (Carmel, Ind.). In addition, Butler Blue II has received care from Dr. Deborah Stephan of Indianapolis Veterinarian Specialists and is the recipient of a food sponsorship via Eagle Pack Pet Food Inc. (Mishawaka, Ind.) and Susan Smith of City Dogs Grocery (Indianapolis, Ind.).
Blue II is present at nearly every Butler Bulldogs home football and basketball games, other athletic events, and many university-related functions. He also is on campus daily. Blue II loves people and always fired up upon hearing the Butler War Song. Among Blue II's favorite activities are playing with Butler students, sleeping, wading in kiddie pools, riding on boats and tractors and visiting the vet.
- Butler Blue I (September 23, 2000 - ) - one NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 2003 and two Horizon League McCafferty All-Sports Championships in 2001 & 2002 (Term of Service: 2000 - 2003)
- Butler Blue II (March 27, 2004 - ) - one NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 2007 and one Horizon League McCafferty All-Sports Championships in 2006 (Term of Serivce: 2004 - present)
