Jonathan the Husky facts for kids

Jonathan XIII, a husky mascot, with Michael Hogan, a former president of UConn.

Jonathan the Husky is the official mascot for the University of Connecticut, also known as UConn. All of UConn's husky mascots are named Jonathan. This name honors Jonathan Trumbull, who was the last colonial governor and the first state governor of Connecticut. UConn usually has two Jonathan mascots: one is a student dressed in a husky costume, and the other is a real, live husky dog.

Most of the live husky mascots, except for the very first one, were solid white. They often had one brown eye and one blue eye. However, in 2013, UConn changed its official logo to a black and white husky. Because of this, the newest Jonathan, Jonathan XIV, is a black and white male husky. He was introduced on January 29, 2014. Jonathan is special because students chose him as the mascot through a popular vote in 1933. This was one of the first times students picked a mascot this way.

The Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, a group focused on community service, has helped take care of the live Jonathan husky since the 1970s.

Meet Jonathan I: The First Husky Mascot

In 1934, a rival school's mascot, a ram, was taken. This event made people interested in getting a live animal mascot for Connecticut State College. Students voted, and they chose the husky as the college's mascot. So, in January 1935, the first husky mascot arrived at the UConn campus in Storrs. Jonathan I's grandfather had even traveled with Robert Peary on an adventure to the North Pole.

The college's alumni group held a "Name the Mascot Contest." The winning name was "Jonathan." Sadly, the day before his name was announced, Jonathan I was hit by a car. He was able to attend a few basketball games before he passed away. Jonathan I is buried near the Old Whitney granite step, and a special plaque remembers him.

Jonathan II: The Bear Chaser

Jonathan II first appeared on November 8, 1935. This was at a pep rally before a big football game against Rhode Island. Jonathan II was an Eskimo Husky and a cousin to the first Jonathan.

Jonathan II made a big impression in September 1936. He scared Brown University's live bear mascot so much that it ran up a tree! The bear was too afraid to come down. Police and firefighters from Providence had to rescue the bear from the tree.

Jonathan III: The Bulldog's Foe

Jonathan III made his first appearance on November 8, 1947, during a football game against Rhode Island. Jonathan III is famous for chasing Yale's bulldog mascot around the Yale Bowl stadium. Some stories say that Yale's bulldog, Handsome Dan VI, growled at Jonathan III. But then, when Jonathan stepped closer, Handsome Dan turned and ran away!

Before coming to UConn, Jonathan III traveled to Antarctica. He helped Admiral Richard E. Byrd with a special mission called Operation Highjump in 1946-1947. Bob Steiner, a well-known husky trainer, would even break ice on Mirror Lake on campus so Jonathan could enjoy a cool swim. Jonathan III was also taken by someone before a football game, but he was returned.

Jonathan IV: The Basketball Fan

Jonathan IV arrived on campus in 1949. He was a mix of Siberian, Eskimo, and Samoyed breeds, with grayish fur. His first football game was against Yale, and he bit their bulldog mascot on the nose!

In 1951, Jonathan IV traveled to Madison Square Garden in New York City. He went with the men's basketball team for their first NCAA tournament. While there, he ran onto the court and received a standing ovation from the crowd. Jonathan IV didn't like opposing basketball players much. He was known to growl when the other team scored points against UConn.

Jonathan V: The Shy Mascot

Jonathan V became the UConn mascot in 1959. However, he found it hard to handle the loud noise and big crowds. This made going to football games unpleasant for him. He would roll onto his back and moan because of the loud sounds. News reports at the time called Jonathan V "shell shocked," meaning he was very scared by the noise.

Jonathan V retired in 1963. After him, UConn used a person in a husky costume as a temporary mascot. This costume mascot was called "Homer the Husky." Pictures from that time show that the human mascot outfits have changed a lot since then!

Jonathan VI: A Short Time

Jonathan VI was introduced to the campus. But just two months later, he sadly died after being hit by a car.

Jonathan VII: The Beloved Survivor

In March 1965, Jonathan VII came to campus. He was a gift from the students of the University of Alaska. The University of Alaska wanted to thank UConn for helping them after a big earthquake in Alaska. This beautiful all-white husky almost became the last animal mascot for UConn. He wore a dog tag that said "Number One," which helped with the town's yearly dog registration.

In 1970, the Student Senate voted to sell the mascot. They felt the dog "represented the establishment," which meant he stood for the rules and people in charge. At that time, many college campuses, including UConn, were protesting the Vietnam War. However, 2,500 students signed a petition to support Jonathan. This successfully saved the mascot by overturning the Student Senate's decision. Jonathan VII was then given to Alpha Phi Omega, the service fraternity, to take care of.

Before he retired, Jonathan VII's last football game was in 1977. As a reward for his loyal service to UConn, he was given the special title "Mascot Emeritus." This means he was an honored former mascot. He died at 14 and a half years old and is buried near Jonathan I.

Jonathan VIII: The Official Husky

As Jonathan VII was retiring, the university introduced Jonathan VIII. Finally, in 1989, the university leaders officially recognized the Husky dog as the mascot for UConn athletics. Jonathan VIII lived on a farm owned by Richard Rogers, a retired army officer. People said he was shy around men but loved being with women. Jonathan VIII died from cancer in May 1991.

Jonathan IX or Jonathan X: The Mystery Mascot

Jonathan IX arrived on campus in July 1991 and started living with Alpha Phi Omega. However, before he was shown to the students, the fraternity said this husky was not Jonathan IX, but actually Jonathan X.

Alpha Phi Omega believed that two huskies had served as Jonathan VIII. So, they thought the mascot's name needed to show this. There are no official records to prove or disprove this idea. But the university uses this story in its publications and tours. Another campus story says that students found a stray puppy and took him in. When they were told it was Jonathan IX, they refused to give him back to Alpha Phi Omega. The fraternity then quickly found another husky, who became Jonathan X.

Even though the truth about Jonathan X is unclear, he served the university well. Jonathan X was special because he had one blue eye and one brown eye. Sadly, Jonathan X was hit by a car and died in 1995.

Jonathan XI: A Champion's Companion

Jonathan XI arrived on campus with a lot of excitement. He made his first appearance two weeks after a large husky dog statue was revealed. This was also a month after the UConn Women's basketball team won its first NCAA National Championship. Jonathan XI retired in 2001. After retiring, he continued to represent UConn positively by taking part in an animal therapy program.

Jonathan XII: The Stressed Star

Jonathan XII made his debut in 2001. He continued the UConn tradition of being a beautiful, all-white husky. Alpha Phi Omega cared for him. However, Jonathan XII found it difficult to handle large crowds. He seemed stressed when surrounded by many people. This became a problem because UConn's sports teams were becoming very successful at that time.

During Jonathan XII's time, UConn football became a Division I-A team. They played in a 40,000-seat stadium. The UConn men's basketball team won their second National Championship. And the UConn Women's basketball team won three more National Championships (in 2001, 2003, and 2004). All this increased interest caused Jonathan XII a lot of stress, so he retired.

Jonathan XIII: The Trained Mascot

Jonathan (costume version) standing under a large inflatable husky.

Jonathan XIII was a lively puppy born in Hartstown, Pennsylvania. After being chosen to continue the UConn Husky tradition, he received special training. This training happened at Connecticut K-9 and Behavioral Services.

Jonathan XIII made his first appearance on March 9, 2008. He helped lead the men's basketball team to a victory. There was a delay in bringing in a new husky mascot because Alpha Phi Omega was updating its rules for caring for Jonathan. Also, a professional handler was hired to work with Jonathan full-time. New rules included checking to make sure Jonathan could handle large crowds and loud noises. In October 2019, after he had retired, Jonathan XIII had some health issues. A fundraising campaign was held to help pay for his vet bills. The extra money raised was given to a veterinary hospital to help other families pay for their pets' care.

Jonathan XIV: The New Generation

Jonathan XIV was born on October 5, 2013. He has the more traditional black and white fur coat with blue eyes. This look matches UConn's new mascot logo.

Jonathan XIII and XIV made appearances together for several months as the new mascot took over. After Jonathan XIII's health issue in late 2019, both Jonathans were often photographed together. This happened especially on Jonathan XIV's official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100044323399796 page. They helped boost spirits on campus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jonathan's Likenesses

• In 1995, a statue of Jonathan was placed at the Wolff Family Park. This park is outside of Gampel Pavilion.
• In 2010, Jonathan's image was turned into a corn maze at Lyman Orchards farm in Middlefield, Connecticut.