By Dan Zealley
Uga XI-Georgia Bulldogs
Uga, an English Bulldog, has been roaming the sidelines in Athens since 1956. There have been
11 official Ugas. Upon their death, Uga is entombed in a mausoleum at the entrance to the field
in the southwest corner of Sanford Stadium. Uga showed up at the Heisman Trophy ceremony
in 1982, wearing a tuxedo. He made his movie debut in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and
Evil.” Damn Good Dawg.
Ralphie the Buffalo-Colorado Buffaloes
“Here comes Ralphie!” Ralphie the Buffalo has been running around Folsom Field since 1967.
Ralphie is a female American Bison due to their smaller size and they are less aggressive. The
current Ralphie, named Ember, is the sixth bison to fill the role. Ralphie and her five handlers
follow a horseshoe-shaped route before each half of home games. She can reach speeds up to
25 mph.
Bevo-Texas Longhorns
The Texas Longhorns have had a live mascot since 1916. Bevo XV is a burnt orange and white
Longhorn steer, which matches the team's color scheme. Bevo regularly attends special events
and attended George W. Bush's second inauguration in 2005. Bevo has had incidents in the
past, including charging a SMU cheerleader, an attack on a parked car, and nearly assaulting
Georgia’s Uga during the 2019 Sugar Bowl.
Mike the Tiger-LSU Tigers
The current Mike the Tiger, a Bengal mix, is the seventh Mike since 1936. Mike the Tiger’s
habitat is located next to Tiger Stadium. Until 2016, Mike would be wheeled into the stadium
and parked outside the visitors’ locker room, but only if he went into the cage voluntarily. Mike
no longer leaves his habitat for games. It is believed that the Tigers score a touchdown for
every time Mike roars on game days.
Renegade-Florida State Seminoles
Osceola is the name of the Seminole leader that the rider of Renegade is named after. Osceola
and Renegade ride to midfield with a burning spear and plant it in the turf, while the marching
band plays the War Chant prior to FSU home games. This has been a tradition in Tallahassee
since 1978 and is supported by leaders of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Renegade is an
Appaloosa breed of horse known for its colorful spotted coat.
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Smokey-Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee held a contest in 1953 to choose a coonhound as their mascot. When Rev. Bill
Brooks’ bluetick coonhound, “Brooks’ Blue Smokey,” was introduced, he howled. When the
students cheered, he howled again, and the crowd went wild. They had chosen their mascot.
Unfortunately, Blue Smokey would only be the mascot for two seasons. He was hit by a car in
1955. There have been 11 Smokeys in its 72-year history.
War Eagle-Auburn Tigers
The legend of “War Eagle” began at the first Georgia/Auburn game in 1982. A Civil War veteran
brought an eagle to the game, and it escaped his grasp. As it circled above the field, the Tigers
went on a game-winning drive. The fans began chanting “War Eagle.” When the game ended,
the eagle would crash to the ground and die. There have been seven War Eagles since that
fateful day.
Traveler-USC Trojans
Traveler made its debut on the field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1961. Traveler IX
is actually a gray horse whose coat has become completely white. The first Traveler was an
unreliable movie horse acquired by the school. The rider is simply known as Trojan warrior, as
Traveler is the school’s official mascot.
Bill the Goat-Navy Midshipmen
The Navy had used goats on the ships to eat the garbage and to provide milk and butter. In
1893, a goat named El Cid, made his debut at the Army-Navy game. Navy won and he was
adopted as the mascot. In the early 1900s, he was given the name Bill in reference to a
commander’s pet goat. There have been 36 mascots named Bill, and many of them have
survived kidnappings by Army and other schools.
Handsome Dan, Yale Bulldogs
Handsome Dan would make the list on name alone. He appeared at Yale sporting events in
1889 when a student brought him. Handsome Dan I, an English Bulldog, won first place at the
Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Handsome Dan XIX was introduced as the Yale mascot in
2021.
