Uga (mascot) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Uga
Uga I
University	University of Georgia
Conference	SEC
Description	English bulldog
Origin of name	the University of Ga.
First seen	1956

Uga ( UG-ə) is the official live mascot for the University of Georgia Bulldogs sports teams. Since Uga I was first introduced in 1956, every Uga has been owned by the Seiler family from Savannah, Georgia.

Meet Uga: Georgia's Bulldog Mascot

Uga VI, the official live mascot of the Georgia Bulldogs from 1999–2008

The Uga mascots began in 1956. That year, Sonny Seiler brought his bulldog to the first home football game of the season. The dog was a wedding gift to him. The head coach, Wally Butts, then asked if he could use the dog as Georgia's mascot. Around the same time, a friend suggested the name "Uga." This name is a fun way to say "UGA," which is a common short form for the University of Georgia. Since then, every official Uga has lived with the Seiler family in Savannah. They care for Uga when he is not at games. They also take him to and from all the events he attends as mascot.

Uga's Game Day Style

The current Uga usually attends every Georgia Bulldogs home football game. He also goes to many away games and other university events. Uga often wears a spiked collar and a red jersey with a varsity letter. This red jersey is his usual "uniform." However, he wears a green jersey on St. Patrick's Day.

Uga has made other special appearances. In 1982, Uga IV wore a tuxedo to the Heisman Trophy Ceremony. In 2007, Uga VI wore a black jersey for a special "blackout" game. Uga's jersey is made from the same fabric as the players' jerseys. He even has his own official student ID card!

Uga's Comfort and Resting Place

Uga has a special air conditioned dog house at Sanford Stadium. He often sits on or near bags of ice during games. This is because bulldogs can get heat stroke easily. The southeastern United States can be very hot and humid.

So far, 10 dogs have been named "Uga." Each one has been a descendant of the first Uga. Often, the new Uga is the son of the one before him.

When an Uga passes away, they are buried in a special mausoleum. This tomb is near the main entrance of Sanford Stadium. A bronze plaque describes each dog's time as mascot. It also includes a special message. On game days, fans bring flowers and gifts to the tombs. This honors the past bulldogs who served as mascots.

Passing the Collar: A Special Ceremony

Several Ugas have retired during special pre-game ceremonies. During these events, there is a "passing of the collar." This is when the new Uga officially begins his time as mascot. Fans often chant "Damn good dog" during these ceremonies. This tradition started with Uga I.

It is important not to confuse Uga with Hairy Dawg. Hairy Dawg is a costumed character who also represents the University of Georgia. He is also a bulldog, but he is not a live dog like Uga.

Uga: A True Team Member

Uga, the official live mascot of the Georgia Bulldogs

Uga has been seen as part of the football team since Uga I was first asked to be the mascot. Uga has his own custom-made jersey for every game day. It is made with the same materials as the football players' jerseys. His name is even stitched on the back. When a new Uga is named, or a new jersey is made, the old jerseys are no longer used.

Becoming Official

Uga officially joins the team in a ceremony on the football field before a game. The head coach officially welcomes the new Uga. He does this by placing the famous spiked collar on the bulldog. Uga X, the current Uga, received his collar on November 21, 2015. This was before the Georgia Southern game.

Uga also gets a varsity letter. This is a plaque that honors his support for the athletes. The plaque is just like the ones the athletes receive at the end of each season.

Uga travels with the team and stays in the same hotel as the players. He even has his own room with the Seiler family. Uga X traveled to the Rose Bowl in 2018. He was the first Uga to be part of a playoff game. He flew to Pasadena, California, with the team. He attended all team events, supporting the football team during their playoff run.

Meet the Uga Family: A Line of Mascots

• Uga I ("Hood's Ole Dan", 1956–66) – This bulldog started the Uga mascot line. He was the grandson of a bulldog that went with the Georgia football team to their 1943 Rose Bowl victory. He helped the team win one Southeastern Conference football title (1959). Sanford Stadium Epitaph: Damn Good Dog
• Uga II ("Ole Dan's Uga", 1966–72) – He helped the team win two SEC football titles (1966, 1968). Epitaph: Not Bad for a Dog
• Uga III ("Seiler's Uga Three", 1972–81) – This Uga helped the team win two SEC titles (1976, 1980) and a national title in 1980. Epitaph: How 'Bout This Dawg
• Uga IV ("Seiler's Uga Four", 1981–90) – He helped the team win two SEC championships (1981, 1982). He was the first live mascot ever asked to attend a Heisman trophy presentation in 1982. He went with Herschel Walker and wore a special black collar and tie. Epitaph: The Dog of the Decade
• Uga V ("Uga IV's Magillicuddy II", 1990–99) – He was named after Dan Magill, a long-time Georgia tennis coach. He also played his father, Uga IV, in a movie called Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated in 1997. In 1996, he famously jumped towards an Auburn player after a touchdown. Pictures and videos of this moment are very famous. Epitaph: "Nation's Best College Mascot" – Sports Illustrated
• Uga VI ("Uga V's Whatchagot Loran", 1999–2008) – He helped the team win two SEC championships (2002, 2005). He had more than 20 wins against ranked teams, which is the most of any Uga. He was the largest Uga at 65 pounds. He passed away from heart problems in 2008. Epitaph: A Big Dog For A Big Job, And He Handled It Well
• Uga VII ("Loran's Best", 2008–09) – He was also named after Loran Smith. His time as mascot ended quickly when he passed away from heart failure in 2009. Epitaph: Gone Too Soon
• Uga VIII ("Big Bad Bruce", 2010–11) – He was named after Dr. Bruce Hollett, a University of Georgia veterinarian. He was introduced at a homecoming game in 2010. He was diagnosed with canine lymphoma and passed away in 2011. Epitaph: He Never Had A Chance
• Uga IX ("Russ", 2012–15; interim mascot, 2009–12) – After Uga VII passed away, his half-brother, Russ, became the temporary mascot. He served as interim mascot for several seasons. In 2012, he was officially named Uga IX. He was the only Uga mascot with visible brown markings. He passed away from natural causes in 2015 at 11 years old. Epitaph: He endeared himself to the Georgia people. His dedication to duty when called upon was exemplary.
• Uga X ("Que", 2015–present) – He is a grandson of Uga IX. He was introduced in 2015. He has helped the team win one SEC championship (2017), one Rose Bowl (2018), one Sugar Bowl (2020), and one Peach Bowl (2021).

Temporary Mascots Who Helped Out

Since 1956, four other bulldogs have served as temporary mascots. They stepped in when the current Uga was not available. Three of these dogs were from the Uga family line. The dog who later became Uga IX also served as a temporary mascot before becoming official.

• Bugga Lou – 1971 – This female bulldog was not related to the Uga family. She filled in for Uga II when he was sick for two games in 1971.
• Argos/Knute – 1972 – This dog was named Argos at birth but was later called Knute. He served as a temporary mascot for the first game of the 1972 season. This was because Uga II had passed away, and Uga III was not yet old enough.
• Otto – 1986 – Otto was Uga IV's older brother. He filled in for Uga IV for four games in 1986. Uga IV had hurt his knee. Otto had a winning record of 3-1. He also served as co-mascot for one game with Uga IV.
• Magillicuddy I – 1989 – He filled in for his brother, Uga IV, when Uga IV was sick at the 1989 Peach Bowl. Uga IV passed away after that season. However, Magillicuddy was thought to be too old to become the new official mascot.

Before Uga: Georgia's Early Mascots

Before the Uga line started in 1956, Georgia had other live mascots.

• "The Goat" (Name Unknown) – 1892 – This goat appeared at early Georgia football games. It wore a black coat with "U.G." in red letters.
• Trilby – 1894 – Trilby was Georgia's first dog mascot. She was a white female Bull Terrier. After Trilby, there was no official mascot for 50 years. During this time, many different dogs were brought to games by fans.
• Mr. Angel – 1944–46 – Mr. Angel was an English Bulldog with a brindle and white coat.
• Butch and Tuffy – 1947–48 (both), 1948–51 (only Butch) – Butch and Tuffy were also brindled English Bulldogs. Tuffy passed away in 1948. Butch continued as mascot until 1951.
• Mike – 1951–55 – Mike was another brindled English Bulldog. He lived in a building on campus. Mike passed away from natural causes in 1955. There is a bronze statue of Mike outside Memorial Hall on Georgia's campus.

Images for kids

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  Uga I

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  Uga VI

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  Uga, the official live mascot of the Georgia Bulldogs