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Buckingham
U Badger
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| 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 department's publicity director, had the
idea to bring the mascot to life. |
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| 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 papier-mâché 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." |
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| 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 lovable and productive 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. Bucky even survived a cameo
appearance by Sports Illustrated writer Rick Telander.
In preparation for a book about the athletic department,
Telander wore Bucky's costume at a '91 volleyball game.
Telander overcame "terminal claustrophobia" in his appearance
as Bucky. Greater Bucky Open Founder and President Derek
Hildebrandt with Telander in SI article below: |
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