Greatest Live Mascots in College Sports

Originally posted on Mike Farrell Sports | By Dan Zealley | Last updated Mar 30, 2025 8:09 PM ET

By Dan Zealley

Uga XI-Georgia Bulldogs

Uga, an English Bulldog, has been roaming the sidelines in Athens since 1956. There have been 11 official Ugas. Upon their death, Uga is entombed in a mausoleum at the entrance to the field in the southwest corner of Sanford Stadium. Uga showed up at the Heisman Trophy ceremony in 1982, wearing a tuxedo. He made his movie debut in “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Damn Good Dawg.

Ralphie the Buffalo-Colorado Buffaloes

“Here comes Ralphie!” Ralphie the Buffalo has been running around Folsom Field since 1967. Ralphie is a female American Bison due to their smaller size and they are less aggressive. The current Ralphie, named Ember, is the sixth bison to fill the role. Ralphie and her five handlers follow a horseshoe-shaped route before each half of home games. She can reach speeds up to 25 mph.

Oct 12, 2024; Boulder, Colorado, USA; Colorado Buffaloes mascot Ralphie runs on the field before the gale against the Kansas State Wildcats at Folsom Field.© Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Bevo-Texas Longhorns

The Texas Longhorns have had a live mascot since 1916. Bevo XV is a burnt orange and white Longhorn steer, which matches the team's color scheme. Bevo regularly attends special events and attended George W. Bush's second inauguration in 2005. Bevo has had incidents in the past, including charging a SMU cheerleader, an attack on a parked car, and nearly assaulting Georgia’s Uga during the 2019 Sugar Bowl.

Mike the Tiger-LSU Tigers

The current Mike the Tiger, a Bengal mix, is the seventh Mike since 1936. Mike the Tiger’s habitat is located next to Tiger Stadium. Until 2016, Mike would be wheeled into the stadium and parked outside the visitors’ locker room, but only if he went into the cage voluntarily. Mike no longer leaves his habitat for games. It is believed that the Tigers score a touchdown for every time Mike roars on game days.

Renegade-Florida State Seminoles

Osceola is the name of the Seminole leader that the rider of Renegade is named after. Osceola and Renegade ride to midfield with a burning spear and plant it in the turf, while the marching band plays the War Chant prior to FSU home games. This has been a tradition in Tallahassee since 1978 and is supported by leaders of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Renegade is an Appaloosa breed of horse known for its colorful spotted coat.

Smokey-Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee held a contest in 1953 to choose a coonhound as their mascot. When Rev. Bill Brooks’ bluetick coonhound, “Brooks’ Blue Smokey,” was introduced, he howled. When the students cheered, he howled again, and the crowd went wild. They had chosen their mascot. Unfortunately, Blue Smokey would only be the mascot for two seasons. He was hit by a car in 1955. There have been 11 Smokeys in its 72-year history.

Nov 23, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers mascot Smokey at a game against the UTEP Miners at Neyland Stadium.© Angelina Alcantar/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

War Eagle-Auburn Tigers

The legend of “War Eagle” began at the first Georgia/Auburn game in 1982. A Civil War veteran brought an eagle to the game, and it escaped his grasp. As it circled above the field, the Tigers went on a game-winning drive. The fans began chanting “War Eagle.” When the game ended, the eagle would crash to the ground and die. There have been seven War Eagles since that fateful day.

Traveler-USC Trojans

Traveler made its debut on the field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in 1961. Traveler IX is actually a gray horse whose coat has become completely white. The first Traveler was an unreliable movie horse acquired by the school. The rider is simply known as Trojan warrior, as Traveler is the school's official mascot.

Bill the Goat-Navy Midshipmen

The Navy had used goats on the ships to eat the garbage and to provide milk and butter. In 1893, a goat named El Cid, made his debut at the Army-Navy game. Navy won and he was adopted as the mascot. In the early 1900s, he was given the name Bill in reference to a commander's pet goat. There have been 36 mascots named Bill, and many of them have survived kidnappings by Army and other schools.

Handsome Dan, Yale Bulldogs

Handsome Dan would make the list on name alone. He appeared at Yale sporting events in 1889 when a student brought him. Handsome Dan I, an English Bulldog, won first place at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. Handsome Dan XIX was introduced as the Yale mascot in 2021.

This article first appeared on Mike Farrell Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: