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
Doodaddy
August 30th, 2012
1:06 pm
Finally, something that makes sense. DGD, King among Dogs!
Go Jackets
August 30th, 2012
1:06 pm
Even from a Jacket, this was the right move. Congratulations, Russ. See you on the field in November.
Erked Russell
August 30th, 2012
1:07 pm
When the Dawgs win the NC, Russ will sprout wings and fly.
Devil's Advocate
August 30th, 2012
1:07 pm
It worked in Blazing Saddles…
The Agent
August 30th, 2012
1:07 pm
By next week he’ll probably be endorsing Golden Flakes potato chips.
huh
August 30th, 2012
1:09 pm
who cares?
Craig
August 30th, 2012
1:09 pm
wow- this speaks loud and clear we need to take the Seilors out of providing mascots. For UGA to be the country’s most recognized and loved mascot and it takes us 2 years to “promote” Russ is unacceptable. It’s like the keystone cops are in charge. About time Mcgarity did something.
bulldogbubba
August 30th, 2012
1:09 pm
I approve this message – GO DAWGS SIC’EM WOOF WOOF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Huh?
August 30th, 2012
1:10 pm
Hey…if Russ hangs out with Rambo and Ogletree and tests positive for weed, will Richt be tight-lipped on whether or not he will be suspeneded?
I'm king of the world!!
August 30th, 2012
1:11 pm
There will be an all white one produced again soon enough.
mind your own business
August 30th, 2012
1:13 pm
Richt can do whatever he wants
Devil's Advocate
August 30th, 2012
1:13 pm
Perhaps we should put Russ on a quarter count. He needs to either come out at halftime of games or we need to shut him down around the Florida game to preserve him.
Huh?
August 30th, 2012
1:13 pm
apparently
john
August 30th, 2012
1:13 pm
You people are delusional… Walk on? Comparisons to the pope? Tearing up? Superstar status? What a joke. All you have is just another dog to sit on a bag of ice. Don’t stop the presses.
Huh?
August 30th, 2012
1:15 pm
john…i love how they talk about “work ethic” and “committment” when referring to a dog that sits in an air-conditioned house on a bag of ice…priceless
dale
August 30th, 2012
1:15 pm
I guess the HGH finally cleared out of his system
CHDawg
August 30th, 2012
1:16 pm
ESPN is doing an hour long feature special on him: Russ, the Dawg that would be King! Airs next week in prime time.
Hey Now!
August 30th, 2012
1:16 pm
Just like the presidency, there will be another all white Uga very soon!
Huh?
August 30th, 2012
1:17 pm
dale…nope…we’ll find out the week after the Florida game that he tested positive.
Terry
August 30th, 2012
1:18 pm
Huh?, Do you sit around in an air conditioned room, or stay outside in the heat all the time?
CHDawg
August 30th, 2012
1:19 pm
I’m hearing Russ has his eye on some plantains, rice, and beans down in Miami….says he wants to visit Miami in January. Great rags to riches story!
Huh?
August 30th, 2012
1:19 pm
Terry….I’m not a dog.
season begins
August 30th, 2012
1:21 pm
Pity the jealous instigators who have nothing better to do than trash talk….u know who u are, huh?
Terry
August 30th, 2012
1:21 pm
He has a custom-built air conditioned dog house at Sanford Stadium and typically sits on or near bags of ice at games, as bulldogs are susceptible to heat stroke (a problem in the humid southeastern United States).
Huh?
August 30th, 2012
1:22 pm
Season…I pity those who have nothing better to do than sit around and talk about a dog mascot’s work ethic and committment….i pity those who tear up over it.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
August 30th, 2012
1:23 pm
Well, this makes it all worthwhile. I have put the a$$ painting behind me. I have put the slights and derisions behind me. Now, I am UGA IX. I promise to do my job and do it well. You won’t have to worry about my heart exploding during a game and there will be no embarrassing carpet wettings and bumping into furniture. I plan to be the same, humble, Russ but I want a bigger house and a better sweater! I’ll also need a coed to pamper me and make sure I have fresh ice in my house. This was a long time coming and I want Coach Richt to know there are no hard feelings but if he ever comes at me with a can of Krylon again I will paint him orange faster than the tanning beds.
I dropped my fried twinkie
August 30th, 2012
1:23 pm
It is about TIME.
steele dawg
August 30th, 2012
1:23 pm
givem’ HELL Russ (UGA)!!!
Terry
August 30th, 2012
1:23 pm
Huh?, I’m not either, but we did not have air conditioner’s when I was young, its a choice for you.
CHDawg
August 30th, 2012
1:26 pm
Easy on Huh?, boys. He is a Kentucky fan, and outside of discussing Turtle Man’s latest exploits, they don’t have much to talk about this time of year. Plus, all the talk about inbreeding makes KY people nervous, too. (Just joking Huh!)
Crap
August 30th, 2012
1:26 pm
Let the idiots hate. We can have some fun about our own mascot.
Huh?
August 30th, 2012
1:26 pm
Terry…your comments prove my point. We’re talking about a dog, but you want to compare the mascot’s situation to humans and their socio-economic status. What??? It’s a dog.
mark
August 30th, 2012
1:27 pm
Major dissapointment….All white is a myth.
Terry
August 30th, 2012
1:27 pm
Huh?, your nothing but a hypocrite.
Huh?
August 30th, 2012
1:27 pm
thanks CHDawg…you’re ok in my book ; )
crusherdawg
August 30th, 2012
1:27 pm
DGD!!!!!!!! RUSS IS THE MAN!!!!!!!
Huh?
August 30th, 2012
1:28 pm
Hypocrite? Umm…ok.
Russ, the Temporary Mascot
August 30th, 2012
1:28 pm
Well, we are about to test the theory that only a white-a$$ed mascot can be an effective UGA. Coach Richt thought that and shamelessly had my a$$ painted in an electrical closet prior to a bowl game – a bowl game in Shreveport of all places! What difference does it make in Shreveport? I am ready for the season to begin and I have the few remaining running backs back in school and on their best behavior. This will be a season to remember!
Gary
August 30th, 2012
1:28 pm
Oh Great another walk on getting a schollership!!! Damn Mark can’t even recruit a 4 star mascot!!! Fire Mark RIcht!!!
Just mocking the ‘we hate Richt’ trolls. Good for Russ. See you at the game.
Statick
August 30th, 2012
1:31 pm
Haven’t we been asking that Russ be made the new UGA mascot? ‘Bout time.
Diamond Dawg
August 30th, 2012
1:35 pm
This is HORRIBLE! UGA has always been pure white! What are we now? Missy State! You guys are killin’ the true Dawg Nation! You are screwing with our karma!
Sure he’s a good fill in… but that is his job… to fill in. You bunch of Morons! Someone shoot Adams please.
Thanks idiots! You just screwed any chances we had of winning any championships.
And don’t tell me to lighten up either! Tech Fans are rolling with laughter.
This is worse than hearing the news (years back) about Coca-Cola introducing “New Coke”. Pepsi had a field day with that brilliant idea!
We are UGA we do not change our freaking mascot. I guess we will soon do away with the stars and bars.
Sentrydawg
August 30th, 2012
1:36 pm
Walk-ons earn schollys!!!!!! DGD!!!!! Woof,wooof!!!!
CHDawg
August 30th, 2012
1:36 pm
I think this changes everything…the Dawgs should be ranked #1 with this intangible now in our corner. I say we are number 1 before Halloween!
Terry
August 30th, 2012
1:37 pm
Diamond Dawg, the first UGA mascot was a Goat.
CHDawg
August 30th, 2012
1:38 pm
Diamond Dawg+Tide Roll???
CHDawg
August 30th, 2012
1:39 pm
unshift
GTT
August 30th, 2012
1:39 pm
Uh-oh. Dead dog walking.
LHarding Dawg
August 30th, 2012
1:40 pm
Hopefully Russ will be a National Champion dawg!
CHDawg
August 30th, 2012
1:41 pm
I say we make reservations for UGA IX in Miami Beach in January. We can let him sunbathe and bleach his coat while he waits for the Dawgs to triumph in the big game.
UGA Insider
August 30th, 2012
1:41 pm
Ask Greg while your at it why was Samuel Jackson invited to speak to the football team? If you don’t know why google what he said on Twitter about him wishing the storm would hit Tampa.
Fire Greg McGarity at once!