Uga VIII Debuts at University of Georgia Game

When fans flock to Sanford stadium on October 16, 2010 to watch the Georgia Bulldogs battle the Vanderbilt Commodores, cheers from the stands will ring out not only for the players on the field, but also for one little guy who will keep spirits high from the sidelines– an 11-month-old English Bulldog dubbed Uga VIII.

In a tradition which dates back to 1956, a descendant of the first Uga will once again take on the mantle of mascot for the University of Georgia. A Rover raised with the rousing beat of marching band music piped into his kennel, young Uga VIII will replace interim mascot Russ, a 6-year-old relative of the line who stepped into the role after Uga VII crossed Rainbow Bridge in November 2009 after suffering from heart failure, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.

Although officially known as Uga VIII, the English Bulldog also answers to Big Bad Bruce, a moniker bequeathed to the mascot in recognition of Dr. Bruce Hollett of the university’s school of veterinary medicine, who has guarded the health of the dog’s forefathers since Uga V.

Photo courtesy University of Georgia; Photo Credit: Danny White

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