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 Legendary University of Georgia mascot Uga V died at his home in Savannah Nov. 22 around 5 p.m. of congestive heart failure.
Perhaps the most widely known of all the Bulldog mascots, Uga V had retired from the Sanford Stadium sidelines earlier this fall during a ceremony prior to the Sept. 11 Georgia-South Carolina game when he was officially succeeded by his son, Uga VI. Uga V had served as Georgia’s mascot since 1990, during which time he became a national figure both on and off the field.
“It’s a very significant loss,” said mascot owner Frank W. Sonny Seiler of Savannah. “He was probably the most active of all the dogs and was a great mascot for the university and its athletic teams; but he was also a family pet and it’s always very traumatic to lose one.”
Uga V retired with a record of 69-41-1; however, he was probably the most widely known and publicized of all the mascots. He gained national attention in 1996 when he lunged toward Auburn receiver Robert Baker, who ventured too close on the sideline. Sports Illustrated dubbed Uga V college football’s best mascot in 1997, and later that year he and Seiler both appeared in the Clint Eastwood movie Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil--filmed in Uga’s hometown of Savannah.
“I think most will agree that Uga V was perhaps the most popular of all the mascots primarily due to his national and international notoriety,” said UGA athletic director Vince Dooley. “He set a great standard and left a great legacy, for his son, Uga VI, to lead all of us into the 21st century.”
Uga V was also the first honorary member of the UGA National Alumni Association.
“It’s a loss for our football program and for the university,” said UGA head football coach Jim Donnan. “He served my teams well for three years and represented all the things we want in a mascot, and a team--strength, courage, dignity and pride.”
Uga V made his debut under the “severest of circumstances,” Seiler recalled. “His father, Uga IV, died during the off-season and Uga V had to start at the age of six months. Neither the jersey nor the collar fit him because he was so young.
“His debut was in Baton Rouge on a Saturday night, and he got a baptism under fire but he grew up fast after that.”
Uga V was buried Nov. 23 with his ancestors in Sanford Stadium.
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