Smokey (mascot)
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Smokey is the mascot of the University of Tennessee sports teams. These teams, named "The Volunteers" and nicknamed "the Vols", use both a live and a costumed version of Smokey.
There is an actual Bluetick Coonhound mascot, Smokey IX, which leads the Vols on the field for football games. There is also a costumed mascot that appears at every Vols game and has won several mascot championships. The costumed Smokey has a female counterpart that appears at the women's athletic events.[1]
Smokey was selected as the mascot for Tennessee after a student poll in 1953. A contest was held by the Pep Club that year. Their desire was to select a coon hound that was native to Tennessee. At halftime of the Mississippi State game that season, several hounds were introduced for voting. "Blue Smokey", owned by a Rev. Bill Brooks was the last, and howled loudly when introduced. The students cheered and Smokey became the mascot. The most successful of the live dogs was Smokey VIII who saw a record of 91-22, two SEC titles and 1 National Championship.[1]
The mascot has gained fame for competing in national mascot competitions and appearing in the Capital One National Commercials. The live hound has been featured in television news segments.[1]
Smokey II was stolen by Kentucky students in 1955 and was involved in an incident with the Baylor Bear's mascot Judge at the 1957 Sugar Bowl. Smokey VI was the first dog to make the Volunteer injury report after suffering heat exhaustion in the 1991 UCLA game. The costumed mascot made it to the quarterfinals of the 2006 Capital One Mascot Challenge.[1][2]
[edit] "Reigns"
| DOG | YEARS |
|---|---|
| Smokey | 1953-1954 |
| Smokey II | 1955-1964 |
| Smokey III | 1965-1977 |
| Smokey IV | 1978-1979 |
| Smokey V | 1980-1983 |
| Smokey VI | 1984-1991 |
| Smokey VII | 1992-1994 |
| Smokey VIII | 1995-2003 |
| Smokey IX | 2004-Present |
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Traditions. University of Tennessee Sports. Retrieved on 2007-01-09.
- ^ Overall standings. Capitol One Bowl. Retrieved on 2007-01-09.
- 2006 University of Tennessee Football Media Guide
