Uga VI Damn Good Dawg!
I just wanted let everyone know that the beloved mascot of the University of Georgia Uga VI passed away yesterday in Savannah Georgia. He will be buried inside Sanford Stadium in Athens Georgia on monday at 3:30pm.
You can see the story about Uga VI here. Also you can see some great photos of him here.
Last night when I found out Uga passed away I decided to tell my son Noah and when I did he stuck his bottom lip out and got a sad look on his face. He has pictures of Uga in his room and he just loves him. Then I told him that there would be a new younger Uga to be the new mascot, and he said oh yeah, I want to go pet him. I said maybe one day we can. And he got a real big grin on his face.
I know I speak for the whole bulldog nation when I say “Hunker Down Hairy Dawg!”
I’m a huge auburn fan (graduated from there), but can still send along my condolences!
Thanks Kris! My best friend is an Auburn fan we give each other a hard time. Georgia and Auburn is the oldest footbal rivalry in the south, what a great rivalry it is! I hope Auburn has a great year this year good luck.
Can I expand on the Uga?
Uga (pronounced UH-GUH) is the name of a lineage of English Bulldogs owned by Frank W. “Sonny” Seiler, which have served as the mascot of the University of Georgia (UGA) since 1956. Although the University is located in Athens, Georgia, the dogs have lived 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, and each is a solid white English Bulldog. Deceased Ugas are interred in a mausoleum near the main entrance to Sanford Stadium. An epitaph describing each dog graces the mausoleum nameplates. Several UGA’s have “retired” as part of elaborate pre-game ceremonies, during which there is a “passing of the bone” and the new UGA begins his reign. UGA even has his own cheer, “Damn good dog!” that the fans shout, during the ceremony. This tradition dates back to the very first Uga.
Although there have been 6 UGAs to date, one other bulldog, from the same family line, has served as the sideline mascot. UGA IV, sidelined with knee ligament damage after jumping off a hotel bed prior to a game against Vanderbilt, was replaced by Otto, compiling a 3-1 record before UGA IV was fit to return to duty. Otto has been named the favorite by former legendary coach Vince Dooley, because he “came off the bench” and got the job done.
The current presiding mascot, Uga VI, passed away of congestive heart failure on Friday, June 27, 2008. Frank “Sonny” Seiler reported that on the evening of his death Uga VI “was breathing heavily” and died soon thereafter. University of Georgia Athletics Director Damon Evans called the date of Uga VI’s death “a sad day for the entire Bulldog Nation.” Published reports touted Uga VI’s win-loss record at the University of Georgia as the best in the University’s history.
Thank you for visiting Nancy and the great information on Uga VI. Go Dawgs!