Jonathan the Husky

Jonathan the Husky is the mascot of the University of Connecticut. All of UConn's huskies are named Jonathan in honor of Jonathan Trumbull, the last colonial and first state Governor of Connecticut.[1] Traditionally, there are two Jonathan mascots: one is a student in a costume which resembles the university's Athletics logo, and the other is a live husky canine.

The canine Jonathan XIII with former president of UConn, Michael Hogan.

All but the first real husky mascot, a brown and white dog, had been solid white with one brown eye and one blue eye, until 2013 when UConn officially changed their logo to a black and white Husky. The newest Jonathan is Jonathan XIV, a black and white male introduced January 29, 2014. Jonathan is one of the few university mascots in the nation to have been selected by students via a popular poll (in 1933).

The co-ed service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega has helped to care for the canine Jonathan since the 1970s.[2]

Jonathan I

Served as mascot from July 23, 1934–February 1935
In 1934 Rhode Island's ram mascot was kidnapped and the story gained interest in bringing a live animal mascot to Connecticut State College. A student poll selected the husky to be the college's mascot and thus, in January 1935, Connecticut State College's first husky mascot arrived at the campus in Storrs.[3] Jonathan's I's grandfather had accompanied Robert Peary on an expedition to the North Pole.[4] The Alumnus had announced a "Name the Mascot Contest" and "Jonathan" was the winning entry. Sadly, the day before the name was announced Jonathan I was struck by a vehicle in North Windham. Jonathan I was able to attend a few basketball games at Hawley Armory before his passing. He is buried by the Old Whitney granite step and a plaque commemorates his life.[5]

Jonathan II

Served as mascot from November 1935 – 1947
Jonathan II debuted November 8, 1935 at a pep rally prior to the annual football rivalry game against Rhode Island. Jonathan II was an Eskimo Husky, and cousin to the original Jonathan. Jonathan made his presence felt in September 1936. He scared Brown University's live bear mascot severely and chased the bear up a tree. Jonathan II made Brown's bear so timid, it refused to leave the tree. The bear had to be rescued from the tree by Providence police and fire fighters.[6]

Jonathan III

Served as mascot from 1947−1949
Jonathan III made his debut November 8, 1947, against Rhode Island in football. Jonathan III is best known for chasing Yale's bulldog mascot around the Yale Bowl. Other sources claim that Handsome Dan VI growled when introduced to Jonathan III, but turned and fled when Jonathan stepped closer. Before arriving in Storrs, Jonathan traveled to Antarctica to assist Admiral Richard E. Byrd with Operation Highjump during the winter of 1946 to 1947. Bob Steiner, considered the most famous of husky trainers, would break an area of ice on campus's Mirror Lake for Jonathan to enjoy a cool swim in.[7] He was also dog-napped prior to a football game.[6]

Jonathan IV

Served as mascot from 1949–1959
Jonathan IV arrived on campus in 1949. He was a Siberian-Eskimo-Samoyed mix with greyish markings. His first football game was against Yale, and he bit their bulldog mascot on the nose. In 1951, Jonathan IV traveled to Madison Square Garden, NYC in to accompany the men's basketball team in their first NCAA tournament appearance. While there he received a standing ovation after abruptly running onto the court.[7] Jonathan IV was not a big fan of opposing basketball players and was known to growl when points were scored against UConn.[6]

Jonathan V

Served as mascot from April 1959 – 1963
Jonathan V made his appearance as the UConn mascot in 1959. However, he was not able to handle the noise and commotion of large crowds. This made appearances at football games unpleasant for Jonathan V, where he would roll onto his back and moan at the loud noises.[7] News reports refer to Jonathan V as "shell shocked".[3] Jonathan V was retired in 1963. UConn introduced a man in a husky costume mascot to serve as an interim mascot known as "Homer the Husky".[6] Pictures from the period show human mascot outfits have vastly changed for UConn since this time.

Jonathan VI

Served as mascot from 1963-1964
Just two months after being introduced to campus, Jonathan VI died after being hit by a car.

Jonathan VII

Served as mascot from 1964–1977
In March 1965, Jonathan VII came to campus as a gift from the student body of the University of Alaska. The University of Alaska wanted to repay UConn for their assistance following a devastating earthquake in Alaska. The beautiful all white husky almost became the last animal mascot for UConn. He wore a dog tag labeled "Number One," serving as a symbol for the Town Clerk's annual dog registration campaign.[7] 1970, the Student Senate voted to sell the mascot because the dog "represented the establishment." UConn was a hotbed of anti-Vietnam fervor, like most college campuses of the time. 2,500 students petitioned support for Jonathan, which successfully saved the mascot by overriding the Student Senate. Jonathan VII was turned over to Alpha Phi Omega, the service fraternity, for handling. Before retiring, Jonathan VII's final football game was in 1977. As a reward for his life-long, model service to UConn, Jonathan VII was honored with the title "Mascot Emeritus." He died at the age of 14 and a half and is buried near Jonathan I at the Old Whitney Granite Step.[7]

Jonathan VIII

Served as mascot from 1977–1991
As Jonathan VII was being retired the University was introducing Jonathan VIII. Finally, in 1989, University trustees officially recognized the Husky dog as the official mascot of UConn athletics. Jonathan VIII lived on the farm of Richard Rogers, a retired army officer living in Willington. He was said to shy away from men but loved the company of women.[7] Jonathan VIII died of cancer in May 1991.[8]

Jonathan IX or Jonathan X

Served as mascot from July 1991 – 1995
Jonathan IX arrived on campus in July 1991, and began his stay with Alpha Phi Omega. However, before his debut to the student body, the fraternity stated the husky was not Jonathan IX but actually Jonathan X.[8] Alpha Phi Omega's theory was that two huskies served as Jonathan VIII and the mascot's name needed to reflect this. There are no public records to dispute or verify this claim but it is the claim given by the University in publications and on tours.[9] Another theory on campus states that students of Clubhouse 29 found a stray pup on the streets and took him in. After being informed it was Jonathan IX they refused to give the pup back to Alpha Phi Omega. The fraternity mobilized and was able to find another husky in time, Jonathan X. Even though it is unclear what the truth is surrounding Jonathan X, he served the university dutifully. Jonathan X is notable for having one blue eye and one brown eye, known as Heterochromia iridum.[10] Tragically Jonathan X was struck by a vehicle and died in 1995.

Jonathan XI

Served as mascot from 1995–2001
Jonathan XI arrived with about as much momentum a husky pup can arrive on campus. He made his debut 2 weeks after the unveiling of the majestic husky dog statue, and a month after the UConn Women's basketball team won its first NCAA National Championship. Jonathan XI retired in 2001 but continued to represent UConn in a positive manner by participating in an animal therapy program.[8]

Jonathan XII

Served as mascot from 2001–Spring 2005
Jonathan XII made his debut in 2001. He continued the UConn tradition of being a majestically brilliant all white husky that was cared for by Alpha Phi Omega. Jonathan XII was unable to deal with large crowds, and seemed stressed with being surrounded by large crowds.[9] This became an issue because of UConn growing athletic prowess at the time. During Jonathan XII's tenure, UConn football became a Division I-A football team that played at a 40,000 seat stadium. UConn men's basketball won their second National Championship, and UConn Women's basketball won 3 more National Championships (2001, 2003, and 2004). All of the heightened interest caused Jonathan XII distress, so he was retired.

Jonathan XIII

Served as mascot from March 9, 2008 – January 28, 2014[11]

Jonathan XIII was a rambunctious pup born in Hartstown PA.[11] After being selected to carry on the tradition of the UConn Husky, he received training at Connecticut K-9 and Behavioral Services in Watertown, CT.[11] Jonathan XIII made his debut March 9, 2008 and helped guide the men to victory over Cincinnati. The delay in bringing in a new husky mascot was due to Alpha Phi Omega revamping their policies of caring for Jonathan. Further, a professional handler was brought in to work with Jonathan full-time.[9] Other policies included a vetting process to show that Jonathan could handle large crowds and loud noise.[9]

Jonathan XIV

Served as mascot from January 29, 2014–present
Jonathan XIV was born October 5, 2013. He has the more traditional black and white coat, with blue eyes, to reflect UConn's recent change in their mascot logo.

Jonathan XIII and XIV made joint appearances for several months before the transition was completed.

Jonathan (costume version) standing under a blow-up version of a husky.

Jonathan's likenesses

In 1995 a statue of Jonathan by Larry Waisele was installed at the Wolff Family Park outside of Gampel Pavilion.[12]
In 2010, Jonathan's image was made into a corn maze at Lyman Orchards farm in Middlefield, Connecticut[13]

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References

"The UConn Story – History of the University of Connecticut". Uconn.edu. Archived from the original on December 19, 2008. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
"The Good Boy of UConn". UConn Today. July 12, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
"Yesteryear Archive: History of Jonathan – Part 1 :: The UConn Story :: University of Connecticut". Uconn.edu. Archived from the original on September 4, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
Stave, Bruce (2006). Red Brick in the Land of Steady Habits: Creating the University of Connecticut, 1881-2006. Hanover, CT: University Press of New England. pp. 18, 19. ISBN 978-1-58465-569-5.
"A Piece of UConn History/Whitney Part 1 – September 12, 1997". Advance.uconn.edu. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
"A Piece of UConn History/History of Jonathan-Part 1 – November 5, 2001". Advance.uconn.edu. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
Garfinkle, Amy. "The Jonathan Tradition Newspaper Article" (May, 1982) [Textual record]. Archives & Special Collections for the University of Connecticut Libraries. Storrs, CT: Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut.
"Yesteryear Archive: History of Jonathan – Part 2 :: The UConn Story :: University of Connecticut". Uconn.edu. Archived from the original on September 4, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
{{="DC">[[:Category:|qPhcnW ]]
{{|ite=web|url=http://advance.uconn.edu/2002/020225/02022%7Chs.ht= |title=A Piece of UConn History/History of Jonathan – Part 2 – February 2|, 2002 |p=blisher=Advance.uc|nn.e=u||date= |ac=essdate=September}}
"UConn Advance – March 17, 2008 – New Husky mascot makes debut at men's basketball game". Advance.uconn.edu. March 17, 2008. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
"Annual Report 2008 – Special Donor Profile: Thomas '56 and Bette Wolff". Foundation.uconn.edu. Archived from the original on August 31, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
Makayla Silva (September 13, 2010). "Getting lost in corn maze part of the fun – Connecticut Post". Ctpost.com. Retrieved September 2, 2013.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.

[1] "The UConn Story – History of the University of Connecticut". Uconn.edu. Archived from the original on December 19, 2008. Retrieved September 2, 2013.

[2] "The Good Boy of UConn". UConn Today. July 12, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2020.

[Jon1-3] "Yesteryear Archive: History of Jonathan – Part 1 :: The UConn Story :: University of Connecticut". Uconn.edu. Archived from the original on September 4, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.

[4] Stave, Bruce (2006). Red Brick in the Land of Steady Habits: Creating the University of Connecticut, 1881-2006. Hanover, CT: University Press of New England. pp. 18, 19. ISBN 978-1-58465-569-5.

[5] "A Piece of UConn History/Whitney Part 1 – September 12, 1997". Advance.uconn.edu. Retrieved September 2, 2013.

[Jon2001-6] "A Piece of UConn History/History of Jonathan-Part 1 – November 5, 2001". Advance.uconn.edu. Retrieved September 2, 2013.

[:0-7] Garfinkle, Amy. "The Jonathan Tradition Newspaper Article" (May, 1982) [Textual record]. Archives & Special Collections for the University of Connecticut Libraries. Storrs, CT: Thomas J. Dodd Research Center, University of Connecticut.

[Jon2-8] "Yesteryear Archive: History of Jonathan – Part 2 :: The UConn Story :: University of Connecticut". Uconn.edu. Archived from the original on September 4, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.

[DC-9] {{="DC">[[:Category:|qPhcnW ]]

[10] {{|ite=web|url=http://advance.uconn.edu/2002/020225/02022%7Chs.ht= |title=A Piece of UConn History/History of Jonathan – Part 2 – February 2|, 2002 |p=blisher=Advance.uc|nn.e=u||date= |ac=essdate=September}}

[Jon2008-11] "UConn Advance – March 17, 2008 – New Husky mascot makes debut at men's basketball game". Advance.uconn.edu. March 17, 2008. Retrieved September 2, 2013.

[12] "Annual Report 2008 – Special Donor Profile: Thomas '56 and Bette Wolff". Foundation.uconn.edu. Archived from the original on August 31, 2013. Retrieved September 2, 2013.

[13] Makayla Silva (September 13, 2010). "Getting lost in corn maze part of the fun – Connecticut Post". Ctpost.com. Retrieved September 2, 2013.

UConn Huskies football
Venues	Gardner Dow Athletic Fields (1896–1952) Memorial Stadium (1953–2002) Rentschler Field (2003–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games Rhode Island UMass
Culture & lore	Civil Conflict Jonathan the Husky University of Connecticut Marching Band
People	Head coaches NFL draftees Statistical leaders
Seasons	1896 1897 1898 1899 1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909 1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

UConn Huskies men's basketball
Venues	Hawley Armory (1914–1954) Hugh S. Greer Field House (1954–1989) XL Center (1975–present) New Haven Coliseum (1978–1987) Harry A. Gampel Pavilion (1990–present) Webster Bank Arena (2013–2014)
Rivalries	Georgetown Syracuse
Culture & lore	Jonathan the Husky "UConn Husky" 6-overtime game 2011 Miracle Run
People	Head coaches Huskies of Honor Statistical leaders
Seasons	1900–01 1901–02 1902–03 1903–04 1904–05 1905–06 1906–07 1907–08 1908–09 1909–10 1910–11 1911–12 1912–13 1913–14 1914–15 1915–16 1916–17 1917–18 1918–19 1919–20 1920–21 1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20
NCAA national championships in bold; NCAA Final Four appearances in italics

UConn Huskies women's basketball
Venues	Hugh S. Greer Field House (1974–1989) XL Center (1975–present) Harry A. Gampel Pavilion (1990–present)
Rivalries	Notre Dame Rutgers Stanford Tennessee
Culture & lore	Jonathan the Husky UConn Husky Bird at the Buzzer
People	Head coaches Huskies of Honor WNBA draftees
Seasons	1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20
NCAA national championships in bold; NCAA Final Four appearances in italics

Live animal mascots in college sports
The American	Shasta (Houston) TOM (Memphis) Peruna (SMU) Stella (Temple)
ACC	Osceola and Renegade (Florida State) Tuffy (NC State) Rameses (North Carolina)
Big 12	Judge (Baylor) Boomer and Sooner (Oklahoma) Bullet (Oklahoma State) Bevo (Texas) The Masked Rider (Texas Tech)
Big East	Butler Blue (Butler) Jack the Bulldog (Georgetown) Jonathan (UConn)
Conference USA	Tech (Louisiana Tech)
Ivy League	Handsome Dan (Yale)
Mountain West	Aurora (Air Force) CAM the Ram (Colorado State)
Pac-12	Ralphie the Buffalo (Colorado) Traveler (Southern California) Dubs (Washington)
Patriot League	Army Mules (Army) Bill the Goat (Navy)
SEC	Tusk (Arkansas) War Eagle (Auburn) Uga (Georgia) Blue (Kentucky) Mike the Tiger (LSU) Bully (Mississippi State) Sir Big Spur (South Carolina) Smokey (Tennessee) Reveille (Texas A&M)