Georgia promotes ‘Russ’ to Uga IX
Despite the brown patch on his back, "Russ" had the interim title removed from his name and will officially become Uga IX. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
After two stints as the University of Georgia’s interim mascot, “Russ” will be promoted to Uga IX, the school announced Thursday.
Georgia, in a news release, termed the removal of Russ’ interim tag a “battlefield promotion.”
A ceremony will be held before the Sept. 15 football game against Florida Atlantic to crown Russ, the 8-year-old half-brother of Uga VII, as next in Georgia’s continuous 56-year line of official English Bulldog mascots.
“Like many great and memorable Bulldogs, Russ has earned the opportunity to serve in this capacity,” UGA president Michael Adams said in a statement. “I am confident that he will represent the Bulldog Nation very well and continue the grand tradition of Ugas.”
Russ first served as interim mascot following the November 2009 death of Uga VII, filling in for the final two games of that season and the first six games of 2010. Georgia turned the job over to Uga VIII in the middle of the 2010 season but again called on Russ when illness sidelined the new mascot from the 2010 Liberty Bowl. After Uga VIII’s death in February 2011, Russ remained interim mascot for all of last season.
Georgia is 14-9 with Russ on the job.
“Russ has endeared himself to the Georgia people over the last three years,” UGA athletic director Greg McGarity said in a statement. “His dedication to duty when called upon has been exemplary, and it’s fitting that he takes his place in the official line of Georgia mascots.”
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244 comments Add your comment
NCSwimDawg
August 30th, 2012
12:30 pm
GOOOO DAWGS! Russ is a DGD!
TallyDawg
August 30th, 2012
12:33 pm
Can we get a picture of Russ to go along with the article?
LHarding Dawg
August 30th, 2012
12:36 pm
It’s about time!
mike on lake hartwell
August 30th, 2012
12:36 pm
translation: we cant seem to get a better one so russ will have to do y’all.
i dont like it. do we call him russ or uga? and what about our tradition of
all white bulldogs? don’t like it.
and what is his record? pic? important info i’d say.
Mike Bell 790
August 30th, 2012
12:37 pm
FIRST!!!!
ATLien and UGA alum
August 30th, 2012
12:37 pm
I’m cool with this but this is yet another piece of evidence that the Seiler family is having serious problems with the Uga lineage.
rural dawg
August 30th, 2012
12:37 pm
Russ the walk-on earned his scholarship….well deserved…makes my day.
HA HA
August 30th, 2012
12:37 pm
Russ or Uga, doesn’t matter. He’ll always be a genetic freak to me.
BigDawg
August 30th, 2012
12:38 pm
Does anyone know where Russ was when UGA VII and VIII died? I’m just saying…
Ashley
August 30th, 2012
12:38 pm
TallyDawg, you don’t know what he looks like??
cursive
August 30th, 2012
12:38 pm
Woohoo Russ! You’re a DGD!
Ashley
August 30th, 2012
12:38 pm
Russ has been our interim dog for a few years, folks. It’s not a new dog.
Mark Richt's Goatee
August 30th, 2012
12:38 pm
UGA IX is a DGD !
SatillaDawg
August 30th, 2012
12:38 pm
Well deserved!
His record speaks for itself!
How ‘Bout That DGD!
Go DAWGS in 2012!
Can’t wait for kickoff!!!!!!!
CHDawg
August 30th, 2012
12:41 pm
He is Russ to his friends, but his regnal name is UGA the IXth.
alex
August 30th, 2012
12:43 pm
Guess he’s not as inbred all the previous mutts?
OkieDawg
August 30th, 2012
12:43 pm
Another walk-on gets a scholly…Well deserved Big Guy…Now sic’em!
Erked Russell
August 30th, 2012
12:43 pm
So in 3 years UGA couldn’t find an all white bulldog they could keep alive for more than 6 months???
Sounds like it’s time for Sonny Seiler to be relieved of the white bulldog concession. He’s inbred his dogs to the point of extinction.
backbaybass
August 30th, 2012
12:44 pm
Always nice to see a walk-on get a scholarship!
jeffrey d
August 30th, 2012
12:44 pm
and what about our tradition of
all white bulldogs? don’t like it.
Integration, buddy. It’s a sign of the times.
he's got a spot
August 30th, 2012
12:45 pm
once the all white puppy is ready again Russ will retire.
TheTruth
August 30th, 2012
12:45 pm
Sorta like being named as the new Pope…Changes his name and also gets a number behind it. Sic-em!!
CPJ's maaaan boobs
August 30th, 2012
12:49 pm
First!
He's fairly old now
August 30th, 2012
12:49 pm
So used to calling him Russ, it’s a tough change to Uga now.
Russ does deserve a place in Sanford stadium when he passes, so now it’s guarranteed.
love ya Russ and Uga
August 30th, 2012
12:50 pm
Battlefield promotion
love ya Russ and Uga
August 30th, 2012
12:51 pm
Such a Rudy kind of story…hehehe
RP
August 30th, 2012
12:51 pm
Congrats Russ!!! Now get to work and get us a MNC.
Delbert D.
August 30th, 2012
12:51 pm
Genetic ethicists on a football blog. Anyway, Georgia live bulldog mascot, Miss. State live bulldog mascot, compare and contrast as to physical attributes..
Don'tsufferfools
August 30th, 2012
12:52 pm
Fools on here talking about “firing” Seiler. He is not employed by UGA and he ain’t a coach. He is generously providing a service to UGA. If you are that ignorant about UGA traditions quit making a fool of yourself.
Huh?
August 30th, 2012
12:54 pm
The president and AD of UGA apparently have their fingers squarely on the pulse of UGA athletics.
Dawg Fan
August 30th, 2012
12:55 pm
It is hard to get a tempermental dawg to be around all of the noise and chaos.
It takes several litters to get the right one.
Russ is in the House.
hmmmm
August 30th, 2012
12:55 pm
Bet those Paw print autographs of Russ are worth a pretty mint now that he’s Uga!
Posters of Russ and Uga….
Like Cassius Clay and Muhammed Ali
TheTruth
August 30th, 2012
12:55 pm
Little 40 volume peroxide and some hair lightener can take care of not being all white.
Lt Col Razorback
August 30th, 2012
12:56 pm
First, who names a dog “Russ”, anyway?
Second, is “Uga” any better?
Back home we don’t name our wild pig – we just call him!
Sooooie Razorbacks!
AN
August 30th, 2012
12:56 pm
I am so happy for Russ! DGD! I almost have tears in my eyes!
graphite
August 30th, 2012
12:56 pm
Just another step backwards for the puppy Dawgs.Not only do you play like Ms. St.,you have a dog like them.RollOn
Mel A. Tonin
August 30th, 2012
12:56 pm
Lots of successful walk-ons over the years. Congrats. to Russ. Carry on.
red headed stepchild
August 30th, 2012
12:57 pm
Get him to autograph a poster Russ and Uga
Banshee29
August 30th, 2012
12:57 pm
Dont suffer, the Seiler’s get a handsome stipend from the university, have for years. It is hush because he is not a Univ. employee..perhaps you sir should check the fool making statement. Ignorance is bliss?
Bill Stanfill
August 30th, 2012
12:58 pm
Yes, Russ came on the scene as a stand-in, without the usual glamour and coronation rites. And no, he doesn’t match up with some of the previous UGAs in beauty and grace.
But he has been earnest and has impressed everyone with his solid work ethic. He has commitment and inegrity–my hearty welcome to Russ: The New UGA!!!
Let's Be Real
August 30th, 2012
12:58 pm
He should have been Uga IX all along
hmmmm
August 30th, 2012
12:59 pm
Is it Bruce Wayne or Batman?
Huh?
August 30th, 2012
12:59 pm
AN….it’s a dog. I know college football is important to us all, but Russ is just a dog. He’s not your 15 year family pet. No need to get carried away.
hmmmm
August 30th, 2012
1:01 pm
Russ is Uga!!!! Oh my gosh, I couldn’t tell….like couldn’t figure out Clark Kent was Superman.
It's great to be a Georgia Bulldog
August 30th, 2012
1:02 pm
God Bless all Uga’s
DawgNation
August 30th, 2012
1:03 pm
Lt Col Razorback
August 30th, 2012
12:56 pm
First, who names a dog “Russ”, anyway?
Second, is “Uga” any better?
Back home we don’t name our wild pig – we just call him!
Sooooie Razorbacks!
_____________________________________________________________
We just call him Bar-B-Q
Alcoa Dawg
August 30th, 2012
1:03 pm
When the Dawgs win the NC does Russ get a ring?
DawgNation
August 30th, 2012
1:05 pm
Russ has always been part of the DawgNation family. It’s just official now. Welcome to your rightful place.
VINCE
August 30th, 2012
1:05 pm
Another walk-on? Richt needs to sign full classes.
woof woof
August 30th, 2012
1:05 pm
Now he has been officially elevated to Superstar status!