History of University of Georgia’s “Uga I Through VIII” Bulldog Mascot [PICS]

By Rémy Thurston

As the NCAA’s most celebrated living mascot, the University of Georgia bulldog is one important canine.  To date, there have been eight dogs that have held the name Uga (pronounced UH-guh) a derivation of the school’s familiar acronym UGA.  Frank W. “Sonny” Seiler has owned the Uga lineage since 1956 taking each dog to every game from his home in Savannah, Ga. ever since.  Every dog has had its own personality, legacy, and win record but each shares in the long held traditions of college mascots.

Uga I

Epitaph Reads, “Damn good dog”. Record 53-53-06 (1955-1965)

Seiler was given Uga I, registered as Hood’s Ole Dan, during his second year at UGA. After bringing his new dog to Sandford Stadium in Athens during the opening game against Florida State, the English bulldog puppy instantly became a crowd favorite and soon was named as the official mascot. The original Uga served for 10 years.  He is buried with all the other Uga dogs in a mausoleum behind the football stadium.

Uga II

Epitaph Reads, “Not Bad for a Dog”. Record: 47-17-03 (1966-1972)

As Uga I got too old to carry out the duties of the UGA mascot, his son Uga II, took over the responsibilities in 1966.  His registered name was Ole Dan’s Uga and led UGA to two SEC Championships in 1966 and 1968.  Both teams were considered underdogs and their subsequent wins made the attachment to their new mascot more potent.

Uga III

Epitaph Reads, “How ‘Bout This Dog”. Record: 64-28-2 (1973-1980)

After Uga II’s death, two dogs served as interim mascots, Bugga Lou and Knute.  Finally, Ole Dan’s Uga 2 was deemed ready to take the Uga throne.  This dog was the first to start enjoying the fame that came to be associated with being the UGA mascot.  He received the Key to the City for Savannah, Ga. and was generally accepted as one of the most recognizable college canines.

Uga IV

Epitaph Reads, “The Dog of the Decade”. Record: 77-27-04 (1980-1989)

After overcoming knee surgery, Uga IV still went on to attend two SEC championships in 1981 and 1982.  With a name like Uga III’s Magillicuddy he also became the classiest Uga when he accompanied Herschel Walker to the Heisman trophy presentation in a tuxedo.  Uga IV is the UGA mascot with the most wins to date.

Uga V

Epitaph Reads, “Defender of his Turf”. Record: 69-41-1 (1990-1999)

Meet the celebrity mascot of the 90s.  After being on the cover of Sports Illustrated, lunging and an Auburn player, and playing the role of his father, Uga IV, in the Clint Eastwood film “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil”, Uga V is still the best known University of Georgia mascot. His registered name was Uga IV’s Magillicuddy Two.

Uga VI

Epitaph Reads, “Big Dog for a Big Job”. Record: 87-27-00 (1999-2008)

This dog’s registered name was Uga V’s Watchagot Loran. He was the biggest dog of the Uga pedigree (65 pounds) when he was chosen to replace the arthritic Uga V.  He is also the progenitor of both Uga VII and Uga VIII. Another of his superlatives includes having the best percentage of wins of all Ugas.  He was present for two SEC championships in 2002 and 2005.

Uga VII

His epitaph reads, “Gone Too Soon”. Record: 16-07-00 (2008-2009)

Sadly, this mascot did not even make it through his second season as Uga. Uga VI’s Loran’s Best, his registered name, died abruptly of a heart attack before the end of the 2009 season.

Uga VIII

Record: 02-00-00.

His name is Big Bad Bruce, and he is just that. The grandson of Uga VI has his grandfather’s big genes. After a long absence of the symbolic mascot on the Georgia sidelines, Uga VIII was a welcome change to UGA’s poorly started season. Only time will tell what kind of mascot he will be. Record: 02-00-00.

As previously mentioned, when Uga is not feeling well or passes away, another dog comes in off the bench until another Uga is found. The other dogs that have served as interim mascots are Otto (1986), Magillicuddy (1989), and most recently Russ, (2009-2010).