Uga (mascot)
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| Uga | |
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| University | University of Georgia |
|---|---|
| Conference | SEC |
| Description | White bulldog |
| Origin of name | University of GeorgiA |
| First seen | 1956 |
| Related mascot(s) | Hairy Dawg |
| Official website | Uga VI |
Uga (pronounced UH-GUH) is the name of a lineage of white 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, Uga lives with the Seilers in Savannah, Georgia.
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 "Georgia Bulldog 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).
In addition to Uga, a person in the costume of a bulldog also performs as Hairy Dawg at Georgia Bulldog athletic events.
To date, there have been six dogs to carry the name "Uga", which is derived from an abbreviation for the University of GeorgiA. Each is the son of his predecessor. Deceased Ugas are interred in a mausoleum near the main entrance to Sanford Stadium. The current presiding Uga is Uga VI.
Also, sometimes Uga likes to attack players from the opposing team at games when they get too close to his ice.
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[edit] 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.
- Uga II ("Ole Dan's Uga," 1966-1972) - two Southeastern Conference (SEC) football titles (1966 & 1968).
- Uga III ("Seiler's Uga Three," 1972-1981) - presided over Georgia's second national championship season in 1980 and two SEC championships (1976 & 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 & 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;[3] 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-present) - two SEC championships (2002 & 2005), Sugar Bowl (2003 & 2008), more victories over ranked opponents than any other Uga (over 20 as of 2007)
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?").
[edit] See also
- Bulldog breeds
- Damn Good Dog - a documentary detailing the history of the Uga dynasty
[edit] References
- ^ Seiler, Sonny; Kent Hammon (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.
- ^ History of Our Mascot. UGA Sports Communications (2006-7-13). Retrieved on 2008-01-12.
- ^ Stroer, Joan (November 10, 1999). Uga rated nation's top mascot in Sports Illustrated (HTML). Athens Banner-Herald. Athens Newspapers Inc. Retrieved on 2008-01-12.
[edit] External links
[edit] Other reading
- A Damn Good Dog Turns 50!, by Dawn Downes in the October, 2006 Atlanta DogLife Magazine (link to magazine)
