UGA, OUR MASCOT In the last 100 years of intercollegiate football, Georgia’s Uga has established himself as the nation’s most well-known mascot. The line of pure white English bulldogs, which epitomizes everything Georgia, has been owned by the Frank W. “Sonny” Seiler family of Savannah, Ga., since Uga I first graced the campus in 1956. Through the years, Uga has been defined by his spiked collar, a symbol of the position which he holds. He was given his name, an Uga VII abbreviation for the university, by William Young of Columbus, a law school classmate of Seiler. Each of the Uga mascots is awarded a varsity letter in the form of a plaque, identical to those presented to all Bulldog athletes who letter in their respective sports. As determined and published by the Pittsburgh Press, the University of Georgia is the only major college that actually buries its mascots within the confines of the stadium. Ugas I, II, III, IV, V and VI are buried in marble vaults near the main gate in the embankment of the South stands. Epitaphs to the dogs are inscribed in bronze, and before each home game, flowers are placed on their graves. The memorial plot attracts hundreds of fans and visitors each year. For the past 20 years, Uga’s jerseys have been custom-made at the beginning of each season from the same material used for the players’ jerseys. Old jerseys are destroyed. Uga’s on-field home is a permanent air conditioned doghouse located next to the cheerleaders’ platform, providing comfort in the heat of August and September.
2009 GEORGIA BULLDOGS
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, “...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 jerseys 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
Uga I
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Uga II
2009 MEDIA GUIDE
at Homecoming, 1966. With the Georgia Redcoat Band lining the field, Uga II was led to the center of the field 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!’’ 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 October 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 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 III
Uga, VI 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 Banquet with Herschel Walker in New York on December 9, 1982. Uga IV was escorted through the banquet hall by the president of the Downtown Athletic Club, and was earlier photographed with Walker by news photographers from across the country. The proud Bulldog donned his game jersey for the outing but 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
Uga IV
Uga V