Happy birthday Bucky!
October 02, 2008 | General News
Wisconsin's loveable mascot, Bucky Badger, turns 68 today. Bucky's official birthday, assigned by the U.S. copyright office and fixed at Oct. 2, 1940, is always reason to celebrate one of the nation's most recognizable collegiate images. Please enjoy the historical Bucky photo gallery at the end of this article.
Badgers in various forms have been recognized as the school mascot for decades. The version currently known as Bucky, sporting a cardinal and white letter sweater, was first drawn in 1940 by artist Art Evans. At that time, the badger went by names like Benny, Buddy, Bernie, Bobby and Bouncey. Art Lentz, the athletic department's publicity director, had the idea to bring the mascot to life.
The original badger mascot was too vicious to control. On more than one occasion, the live badger escaped handlers before a sideline hero recaptured the animal with a flying tackle. It was decided in the interest of fan and player safety that Wisconsin's mascot be retired to the Madison Zoo. The Badger Yearbook replaced the live badger with a small raccoon named Regdab (badger backwards) and passed it off as a 'badger in a raccoon coat.'
In 1949, a student in the university's art department, Connie Conrad, was commissioned to mold a paper-mache badger head. Gymnast and cheerleader, Bill Sagal, of Plymouth, Wis., was directed by homecoming chair Bill Sachse, to wear the outfit at the homecoming game. A contest was staged to name the popular mascot. The winner was Buckingham U. Badger, or Bucky. The name apparently came from the lyrics in a song which encouraged the football team to 'buck right through that line.'
Bucky Badger has persevered through the years, even surviving a threat by then assistant attorney general, Howard Koop, in 1973. He suggested that Bucky be replaced by Henrietta Holstein, a loveable cow. Koop argued that 'kids love cows. A generation could grow up supporting the university and Henrietta Holstein.' Koop's effort to overthrow Bucky failed.
The Wisconsin Alumni Association is commemorating the first Bucky in a one-of-a-kind, collectible T-shirt for just $15. Purchases of ' The Red Shirt ' will help fund valuable UW scholarships and programming.
