Uga, The Mascot Legacy
Uga I, 1956-66 “Hood’s Ole Dan” Record: 53-48-6 The current Uga line of solid white English bulldogs began with Uga I, Hood’s Ole Dan, born Dec. 2, 1955, in Columbus. Uga I was given to Cecelia Seiler by a friend, Frank Heard of Columbus and appeared in his first game in the 1956 home opener. As recalled by Sonny Seiler, Uga I with Hannah Jones “...his original red jerseys were made by Cecelia. It was necessary to take up children’s t-shirts to fit the dog in the right places. There is no telling how many of these jersey’s he wore out. During the early games in Athens, especially the hot ones before he had a dog house, the large green hedges that surround Sanford Stadium afford welcomed shade in the heat of battle. Unfortunately, the hedges constantly tore these jerseys and new ones had to be made.” epitaph: Damn Good Dog Uga II, 1966-72 “Ole Dan’s Uga” Record: 42-16-3 Uga I was succeeded by his son, Ole Dan’s Uga at an impressive pregame ceremony at Home coming, 1966. With the Georgia Redcoat Band lining the field, Uga II was led to the center of the field Uga II with Ann DeLong by Charles Seiler, son of Sonny and Cecelia. The student body erupted in a cheer that was picked up by the entire stadium, ‘‘Damn Good Dog!’’ SPECIAL APPEARANCES
Bowl Games (’season)
I Orange ’59, Sun ’64 II Cotton ’66, Liberty ’67, Sugar ’68, Sun ’69, Gator ’71 III Peach ’73, Tangerine ‘74, Cotton ‘75, Sugar ‘76, Bluebonnet ’78, Sugar ’80 IV Sugar ’81, Sugar ’82, Cotton ’83, Citrus ’84, Sun ’85, Hall of Fame ’86, Liberty ’87, Gator ’88, Peach ’89 V Independence ’91, Florida Citrus ’92, Peach ’95, Outback ’97, Peach ’98 VI Outback ’99, Music City Bowl ’01, Sugar ’03, Capital One ’04 Outback ’05, Sugar ’06, Chick-fil-A ’06, Sugar ’08 VII Capital One ’09 Russ Independence Bowl ‘09, AutoZone Liberty Bowl ‘10
Other Sporting Events & Banquets
Men’s Basketball Final Four, Albuquerque, N.M, 1983 (IV) Men’s Basketball SEC Championships, 1990 (IV) Heisman Trophy Banquet, Dec. 9, 1982 (IV) Coronation of NCAA Men’s Tennis Champions, 1999 (V)
Miscellaneous
Sports Illustrated Cover, April 28, 1997 (V) Sports Illustrated (IV, V, VI) ESPN’s College Gameday Time (IV) Newsweek (IV) Football News (IV) SportMagazine (IV) The Animal’s Who’s Who (III) Featured on the Animal Planet (VI) Dog Fancy Magazine (VI) 1997 movie, “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil,” (V) 1976 movie, “Gator,” (III)
Charitable Functions
March of Dimes, Easter Seals, Heart Fund, Humane Society, Boy’s Clubs
Uga II had an impressive reign as he watched Georgia participate in five bowl games and win two SEC championships. epitaph: Not Bad for A Dog Uga III, 1972-80 “Seiler’s Uga Three” Record: 71-32-2 Born Oct. 9, 1972, Seiler’s Uga III was present for Georgia football’s finest moment as Herschel Walker took the Bulldogs to the 1980 national championship. He led Georgia to six bowl games in nine years and closed out his career in ultimate fashion winning the 1980 NCAA championship. Uga III retired on the Uga III 100th football game of his career, marking the season-opener of the 1981 season. He died just weeks later. epitaph: How ‘Bout This Dawg Uga IV, 1981-89 “Seiler’s Uga Four” Record: 77-27-4 Uga IV was perhaps the most active of all the Georgia mascots, standing as the only one to attend a bowl game every year of his service (1981-89). He took over for Uga III in the 1981 season opener and over the next nine seasons, led Georgia to a record of 77-27-4. The highlight of his career was his personal appearance at the Heisman Trophy Uga IV with Banquet with Herschel Walker in Marty Argo New York on December 9, 1982. Uga IV was escorted through thebanquet hall by the president of the Downtown Athletic Club, and was earlier photographed with Herschel by photographers from across the country. The proud Bulldog donned his game jersey for the outing and added the formal touch of a collar and black tie. Uga IV was the first mascot invited to the Heisman Banquet.Declared ‘‘Dog of the Decade’’ by Vince Dooley in 1991, Uga IV was posthumously awarded the highest honor available to University of Georgia mascots — the Georgia varsity letter. epitaph: The Dog of the Decade Otto, 1986 “The Substitute” Record: 3-1
Although Otto was not pure white like his father, he was called upon to fill in for his younger brother, Uga IV, who injured ligaments in his left hind knee when jumping off a hotel bed before the Vanderbilt conOtto test. In four games during the 1986 season, Otto led the team to a 3-1 record and also co-mascotted (along with Uga IV), a victory over instate rival Georgia Tech. After winning his first two games, fans cheered,
Georgia Bulldogs • 107