UGA IV Mascot “Russ”

Part Number: SA-887

“Russ,” the half-brother of Uga VII who has served as interim mascot for the Georgia Bulldogs, has received a “battlefield promotion” and assumed the title of “Uga IX” prior to the Florida Atlantic game on September 15, 2012.

“Russ” served as the Bulldog Mascot a total of 25 games beginning with the Georgia Tech game in Atlanta in 2009 helping his squad to a 30-24 win. Russ worked a total of nine games during the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Following the unexpected death of Uga VII on Nov. 19, 2009, Russ served as interim mascot the final two games of the 2009 season and the first six games of 2010. Uga VIII was introduced on Oct. 16, 2010 prior to the Georgia-Vanderbilt game. Russ was pressed back into duty prior to the 2010 Liberty Bowl and stayed on following the untimely death of Uga VIII in February, 2011.

He roamed the sidelines at all 14 games during the 2011 season. He then served for two wins at the beginning of the 2012 season before being promoted as Uga IX prior to the Florida Atlantic game on Sept. 15, 2012. His time as mascot has included the 2011 and 2012 SEC Eastern Division championship, two road wins at Georgia Tech, a victory over Texas A&M in the 2009 Independence Bowl in Shreveport, La. and a win at the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Fl. on January 1, 2013 against Nebraska. Uga IX finished 2013 with an 8-5 record. He completed the 2014 season with a 10-3 mark, capped by a victory over 20th-ranked Louisville in the Belk Bowl.

He was the first substitute mascot since “Otto” in 1986.

“Russ has endeared himself to the Georgia people over the last three years,” said UGA Director of Athletics Greg McGarity. “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.”

-www.georgiadogs.com