UGA season will start without a new Uga (UPDATED)
Georgia will open the football season with a new quarterback, a new defense — but no new Uga.
Sonny Seiler, owner of the English bulldogs that have served as Georgia’s mascot since 1956, has informed UGA President Michael Adams and athletics director Damon Evans that the next Uga won’t be ready for action by the start of the football season.
That means Russ, the 5-year-old half-brother of the late Uga VII, will continue to fill in as the Bulldogs’ mascot for the Sept. 4 opener and at least one or two more games, if not longer.
“We’ll be fine. Russ will do his job,” Evans said today. “We’re fortunate to have a family like the Seilers who take care of Uga and are always able to provide us with a good quality dog, and they will do so again this year.”
Seiler has identified several puppies — offpspring of the Uga VI line — as candidates to become Uga VIII, but none of them will be big enough by the start of the season. Puppies in a new litter due this month also might be considered.
“I think he wants to ease [the dog] into the season, like we do freshmen sometimes,” Adams said.
So, Russ’ reign will last a bit longer.
He took over after Uga VII died unexpectedly in November, serving as the Bulldogs’ mascot for an upset win at Georgia Tech and an Independence Bowl victory over Texas A&M. Seiler has said that Russ is too old to be considered for the position of Uga VIII; a younger dog is preferred to increase the chances of a long tenure.
The issue of the next Uga is no small matter in Bulldog Nation. In fact, Adams said with a laugh today, the UGA presidency is “one of the few gigs in the world where you’re always second place to a dog.”
Russ isn’t the first interim bulldog mascot in Georgia football history. The most famous was Otto, who filled in for four games in 1986 when his younger brother Uga IV was sidelined with a knee injury. Georgia went 3-1 with Otto as mascot. Uga IV and Otto then served as co-mascots as Georgia beat Georgia Tech in the 1986 regular-season finale.
Georgia opens the 2010 season at home against Louisiana-Lafayette, then has two difficult SEC games –- at South Carolina on Sept. 11 and vs. Arkansas in Athens on Sept. 18. You know that if the Bulldogs come through those games undefeated with Russ on the job, there will be a lot of barking from fans to keep him in place.
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134 comments Add your comment
Lewis Grizzard
June 2nd, 2010
9:00 am
That dawg’ll bite you!!!
Russ for President
June 2nd, 2010
9:03 am
They never painted Russ you could clearly see the tan markings, when asked if Russ could be permannet Seiler just jokingly said he said it would take a lot of spray paint.
Evansdawg
June 2nd, 2010
9:13 am
I worry about the Carolina game….but with a new defense, I REALLY worry about that Arkansas game.
gdawginkalamazoo
June 2nd, 2010
9:18 am
Reason, why do you care?
H.Walker
June 2nd, 2010
9:18 am
As an alum and longtime fan, I think using Russ as a temporary mascot is stupid. If he’s not good enough to be the full-time UGA, then he shouldn’t be a temp. Just go without one until the next UGA is ready. Don’t cheapen the UGA image and legacy.
RDR
June 2nd, 2010
9:21 am
Go Russ!!
Lumpkin Street Larry
June 2nd, 2010
9:21 am
How are things on St. Simons these days Tech boy? Is the ACC still playing football?
RDR
June 2nd, 2010
9:23 am
Reason. Well apparently CMR has at a minimum figured it out against tech. 8 – 1 ain’t bad.
Dawglasville
June 2nd, 2010
9:25 am
PETA – you really need to let that loss to us at home go. I’m tired of losing to Florida too but I won’t let it consume me. Focus on your trip to a BCS bowl and try to be a nicer person.
PETA
June 2nd, 2010
9:25 am
I don’t care what you rednecks say. It is Animal abuse to subject that poor defenseless animal to those conditions on the field. I do agree that any UGA graduate could substitute for Uga. The only issue with it is the dogs have a higher IQ.
marsh
June 2nd, 2010
9:26 am
HD,
I’m tiring of the Seilers too. They really botched this by not having a replacement ready. I understand that the previous UGA died unexpectedly but isn’t that why you have contingency plans?
PETA
June 2nd, 2010
9:30 am
I really enjoyed my fifteen minutes of fame.
UGAMom
June 2nd, 2010
9:34 am
PETA poster – the Uga dog, no matter who he turns out to be, is more pampered than even the most spoiled of personal pets. I have personally seen how the Seiler family treats their beloved dog – to them, he is a family pet, to us, he is a very special dog.
I hope we have a new mascot soon – one of our favorite things is to see Uga on the sidelines! A young pup will be especially fun to watch and love for (hopefully) many years to come.
roaddawg
June 2nd, 2010
9:34 am
Not having a real UGA for the trip to Colorado is going to suck. Games like that are a good opportunity to showcase UGA for a section of the country that isn’t used to seeing him often.
RxDawg
June 2nd, 2010
9:40 am
1st, lol at PETA.
2nd, way to go Russ! I personaly like him. Aren’t we undefeated with him anyways?
AltamahaDawg
June 2nd, 2010
9:42 am
So as I understand it One of the more recognizable medical school in the southern US, multitudes of team doctors, access to any specialist in the country, money no object and it took till NOW to figure out Urban had what of thousands of sufferers have had diagnosed at the family doctor every year? Was actually going to quit over this. No choice but to leave one of the top jobs, at the highest level of his profession, because nobody could figure this out before just now. Total and utter BS. I don’t believe that for a second.
Fred
June 2nd, 2010
9:43 am
Do you guys really not get that the PETA thing is a joke? Although I have to admit all the posts about eating tasty animals on this article about a DOG are a little gross.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
June 2nd, 2010
9:44 am
It’s just like some folks to deny an a$$ painting occurred. That a$$ painting was humiliating and I won’t stand for it again! They may want me to stick around for a few more games but I don’t know that I want to do that now. I want the same contract Grantham got – only with an a$$ painting clause.
crazy carl
June 2nd, 2010
9:49 am
I have some white, leftover house paint that I’d be willing to donate. Just dip Russ in it before each game. Although, it’s water-based, so we may want to keep an eye on the weather forecast.
bayou dawg
June 2nd, 2010
9:52 am
seems like russ is fixated on that dogs a$$
Bob Dawg
June 2nd, 2010
9:54 am
Never seen such bullcrap spouted about UGA….This dog has been too congress….seen presidents and is hailed througout the entire country. I don’t think there could be any better treatment given to any animal or person for that matter. Of coures PETA and the others are just spouting off due to thier jelousy that such a wonderfull mascot belongs to us.
Why badmouth the Seilers, they have done nothing wrong….they have kept a wonderfull tradition with the family lines of UGA and if they don’t have another ready….then we will wait….tradition is everything in college football. Russ can fill in for a year and then turn the job over to a new, ready to go pup…. In fact, if we have a good year (which I have a feeling it will be) then what a continueing story this will be. Wouldn’t it be great for Russ to add a Championship during his temporary service….a championship might even allow Russ to be interned on the field once his days on this earth are numbered….
So quit the hating and enjoy Russ while he is here….he’s already kicked Tech’s butt and I think he has a good year to give….Embrace the tradition and lets see how it all plays out…….
rebman76
June 2nd, 2010
9:56 am
Be fortunate you have a mascot. We Ole Miss fans are still looking for ours.
kb
June 2nd, 2010
9:58 am
Tech recruiting class of 2006 was ranked 13th. Too bad PJ can’t recruit as well as Chan.
Dave In Tampa
June 2nd, 2010
10:00 am
Heck, for the Colorado game bring the entire litter of Bulldogs and let them all lead the team on the field! The one that is lead Dawg on the field gets the job!
Admiral Ackbar
June 2nd, 2010
10:03 am
Don’t let anyone lead you to believe that I won’t be the new Ole Miss mascot. It’s a trap!
Tech Sucks
June 2nd, 2010
10:12 am
This is what nerds do for fun since they have no women around. Dumb asses. 30-24, bitches.
http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/tech-students-badly-burned-539845.html
Dylan
June 2nd, 2010
10:13 am
There is no chance for Russ to be the new Uga VIII. Uga has to be COMPLETELY white. No markings on him at all. I wish Russ was all white though, he seems to be lucky.
BurningRedBleedingBlack
June 2nd, 2010
10:15 am
GO RUSS!!!! GO GEORGIA!!!!!!
Dave In Tampa
June 2nd, 2010
10:20 am
Classless Post there “Tech Sucks” There was no call for that!
Eisendawg
June 2nd, 2010
10:26 am
I’m just glad we have an undefeated Bulldawg as a mascot, and not a goat, or a bee, or a lizard, for that matter.
Dawglasville
June 2nd, 2010
10:27 am
Tech Sucks – That is too much. It’s just football. Good call, Dave.
gdawginkalamazoo
June 2nd, 2010
10:31 am
Altadawg to quote Meyer:
“It all relates to one pain, and that was waking up every morning with a toothache in your chest for the last three years and that’s all related to one thing,” Meyer said. “And so, since late January is the last time I had any issues at all with that.”
I think that three year burning feeling was the fact that Tebow was going to graduate one day.
GT Bball Fan
June 2nd, 2010
10:32 am
On another note – Buzz is healthy to start the year!
Eisendawg
June 2nd, 2010
10:36 am
Come on poster at 10:12, friendly bashing is fine, but to make light of someone really getting hurt, you should be ashamed!
» SEC links: League considering scrapping divisions in hoops John Clay’s Sidelines
June 2nd, 2010
10:41 am
[...] Georgia will start its season without a new Uga, reports Tim Tucker of the AJC. [...]
how2fish
June 2nd, 2010
10:42 am
GT Bball Fan good to know Buzz is healthy and has recovered from the double mudhole azz stomping he got in the last game of the season and in the Bowl game….go Buzz !
gabeaux
June 2nd, 2010
10:48 am
It seems that every time someone chooses to put “dawg” on their blog name it lowers their IQ about 75 points.
rebman76
June 2nd, 2010
10:49 am
LOL!!!!!! That’s funny, Admiral.
Dr. Kenneth Noisewater
June 2nd, 2010
10:49 am
no rush, groom UGA VIII good. if there is none selected, move to make Russ UGAVIII. let’s just get this season started already!!!
OC_Dawg
June 2nd, 2010
10:51 am
I say leave Russ in as long as he’s undefeated.
Dawghater
June 2nd, 2010
10:52 am
I’m sure they can find some redneck dressed like a Bullpup to stand in until their UGA is ready. Better be more concerned about Aaron being ready vs. UGA.
Mark "Crimson Crier" Ingram
June 2nd, 2010
10:53 am
PETA…go peeta up a rope!
PETA is just a money making scam to milk the weakminded’s money. Donate to your local animal shelters and pet adoption agencies.
Dave In Tampa
June 2nd, 2010
10:56 am
“Better be more concerned about Aaron being ready vs. UGA.”
WHAT???
Don’t worry yourself about Murray. He will do just fine thanks for your concern!!
Spank us Gators?
June 2nd, 2010
10:58 am
What’s wrong with this picture?: for football fans in the sunshine state, it’s sometmes the game of the name
The University of Florida football team released a media guide with a cover page featuring a large and aggressive looking alligator. It was later on found by the experts that the photograph looked like a Nile crocodile rather an alligator.
author: Mirsky, Steve
Publisher: Scientific American, Inc.
Publication Name: Scientific American
Subject: Science and technology
ISSN: 0036-8733
Year: 2003
Public affairs, Media coverage, Football teams, University of Florida
http://www.faqs.org/abstracts/Science-and-technology/Nothing-personal-youre-just-not-my-type-Whats-wrong-with-this-picture-for-football-fans-in-the-sunsh.html
Gator Weenies
June 2nd, 2010
11:00 am
Spank us, Is that for real?
Clark Griswold
June 2nd, 2010
11:00 am
Russ, we checked every bulb, didn’t we?
Spank us Gators?
June 2nd, 2010
11:01 am
I just wanted to make sure Whatever breed our mascot is–It’s the right species.
Uga the Ocho
June 2nd, 2010
11:07 am
Coming soon, it’s Uga the OCHO at Ugatheocho.com. Yep, the domain is mine!
Tom
June 2nd, 2010
11:08 am
What’s wrong with Russ? He’s just a dog, not some medical miracle.
Russ
June 2nd, 2010
11:11 am
I poop on PETA and Techies!!