Bucky Badger is a member of the first collegiate mascot class to be inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame today in Love Park in center city Philadelphia. Buckingham U Badger was the top vote-getter by over 100,000 votes in an online poll that also allowed Aubie of Auburn Univeristy and UouDee of the University of Delaware to join the professional mascots entering in the class of 2006.

Spirit squad advisor Josette Scheer and several Bucky's are attending the ceremony which includes join three of the greatest mascots of all time (The Famous Chicken, The Phillie Phanatic, The Phoenix Gorilla) who were inducted at last year's inaugural ceremony. The professional mascots entering the Hall this year are KC Wolf of the Kansas City Chiefs; Clutch with the Houston Rockets and Jazz Bear of the Utah Jazz

The Mascot Hall of Fame is devoted to acknowledge the art and performance of these great characters as they have been entertaining kids and adults alike for generations and are considered by many as an integral part of the game. This was never more evident than by the millions of votes that poured into the MHOF website this year for all of the candidates. Each year mascots, characters and performers will be elected to the Mascot Hall of Fame and inducted in a celebratory event.

Bucky Badger has been the official mascot for the University of Wisconsin since 1949. Badgers in various forms have been recognized as the school mascot for decades. The original mascot was a live Badger, but that proved too dangerous for sporting events. The version currently known as Bucky, sporting a cardinal and white letter sweater, was first drawn in 1940 by artist Art Evans. Later a paper-mache Badger head was worn by a cheerleader, and the Badger as we know it today was born.