Frequently Asked Questions - Ugas

Printer-friendly versionHis epitaph: Damn Good Dog. Uga I reigned from 1956 through 1967, and his official name was "Hood's Ole Dan." His record was 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 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."

Printer-friendly versionHis epitaph: Not Bad for A Dog. Uga II reigned from 1966 through 1972, and his official name was "Ole Dan's Uga." His record was 42-16-3.

Uga I was succeeded by his son, Ole Dan's Uga at an impressive pregame ceremony 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.

Printer-friendly versionHis epitaph: How 'Bout This Dawg. Uga II reigned from 1973 through 1980, and his official name was "Seiler's Uga Three." His record was 71-32-2.

Born October 9, 1972 , Seiler's Uga Three was present for Georgia football's finest moment as Herschel Walker took the Bulldogs to the 1980 national championship. He had 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. He died just weeks later.

Printer-friendly versionHis epitaph: The Dog of the Decade. Uga IV reigned from 1981 to 1989, and his official name was "Seiler's Uga Four." His record was 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 Herschel 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.

Printer-friendly versionHis name: "The Substitute." Otto's record was 3-1 and filled in during the 1986 season. 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 contest. 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, "2-and-0 with Otto!" Dooley, serving as head coach during Otto's brief tenure, favored the substitute the most. "I have always had a great affection for those who came off the bench and performed, and he did that and had a great time," Dooley said. Otto is buried in the Seiler's backyard.

Printer-friendly versionHis epitaph: Nation's Best College Mascot-- Sports Illustrated. Uga IV reigned from 1990 to 1999, and his official name was "UGA IV's Magillicuddy II." His record was 65-39-1.

In the first game of 1990, Uga V officially began his reign as the Georgia mascot taking over from his father Uga IV, who passed away at his home in Savannah on Feb. 26, 1990. Uga V was the last pup sired by Uga IV and was born on March 6, 1990.

Named in honor of one of the greatest Bulldogs, Dan Magill, former Assistant Athletic Director for Public Relations and longtime tennis coach and sports information director. Surprisingly, the Seiler family became aware that Uga IV's mate was expecting only 10 days before the litter was due. This notice came a week after Uga IV had passed away at his home in Savannah from kidney failure. There were only three pups in the litter and the last one born on March 6 was the only solid white male.

Printer-friendly versionUga IV reigned from the 1999 season to 2008, and his official name was "Uga V's Whatchagot Loran." His record is 56-27.

The pregame passing of the bone ceremony from Uga V to his heftier and friskier son, Whatchagot Loran, took place at the 1999 Georgia-South Carolina contest. Only a year old at his coronation, Uga VI stands as the biggest of all the Uga mascots weighing in at over 60 pounds - 15 pounds heavier than his father.

The 2000 season ended in Hawaii, but due to the distance and a quarantine rule, Uga VI missed the O'ahu Bowl, marking the first time the Georgia mascot had missed the postseason game since the 1969 Sun Bowl. While his father, Uga V, catapulted the mascot into the national spotlight, Uga VI has been featured in Sports Illustrated, a 2001 Emmy-winning episode of Turner South's Liars and Legends, part of a college football segment on NBC Nightly News and was the special guest at a reception for the Georgia Congressmen in Washington D.C., in 2002.

The Georgia football teams compiled an 87-27 record during Uga VI's tenure, which officially began in 1999 with pre-game ceremonies prior to the South Carolina game in Athens. The Bulldogs captured both the 2002 and 2005 SEC Championships and won six of eight bowl games over that span. Uga VI's record surpassed the mark of 77-24-4 of Uga IV.

All of Georgia's athletic teams enjoyed remarkable success during Uga VI's reign. All told, 19 of Georgia's 35 national championships have been secured under Uga VI. Bulldog athletic teams also have won 35 SEC Championships. In addition, Georgia has recorded six top-10 finishes in the Director's Cup, the annual all-sports competition ranking the nation's top athletic programs.

Printer-friendly versionName: "Loran's Best" The seventh in the Uga line of Georgia mascots was introduced to the Georgia people on Saturday, Aug. 30, 2008, during pre-game ceremonies of the Bulldogs' season opener against Georgia Southern. He was escorted onto the field by members of the Frank W. "Sonny" Seiler family of Savannah who have owned the continuous line of mascots since Uga I took up the mantle in 1956.

Uga VII passed away unexpectedly on Nov. 19, 2009 of heart-related causes. It was the Thursday before the final home game of the 2009 season and the Bulldogs did not have a live mascot at the game. Instead, a wreath was placed on Uga VII's doghouse, and the players wore a special Uga VII decal on their helmets to remember him. Uga VII's final record was 16-7 with one bowl win.

"Russ," the five-year-old half brother of Uga VII, served as the Bulldog Mascot for the 2009 Georgia Tech game in Atlanta and helped his squad to a 30-24 win. He also served in the 2009 Advocare 100 Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La. where Georgia defeated Texas A&M 44-20. He was the first substitute mascot since "Otto" in 1986. Russ began the 2010 season on the sidelines until passing the bone to "Big Bad Bruce" on October 16 when Georgia took on Vanderbilt on Homecoming. Russ currently has a a 4-4 record and will serve again as the interim mascot for the 2011 season until another Uga can take over.

The eighth in the Uga line of Georgia mascots was introduced to the Georgia fans on Saturday, October 16, 2010 during pre-game ceremonies of the Bulldogs' Homecoming game against Vanderbilt. Born Sept. 12, 2009, he served the final six regular season games of 2010 before missing the bowl game after a diagnosis of lymphoma. "Big Bad Bruce" passed away Friday, February 4, 2011. His final record was 4-2.

Printer-friendly versionGeorgia Magazine featured a great article in the June 2004: Vol. 83, No. 3 issue called Uga...the Book! detailing the book Damn Good Dogs available on Amazon:

Or check out the "Dogumentary" on DVD!

The information on this page was compiled from the GeorgiaDogs.com website on the History of Our Mascot page.