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Wisconsin Badgers Mascot Bucky Badger Turns 75

By Jim Oxley

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The lovable Wisconsin Badgers mascot Bucky Badger hit a big milestone on Oct. 2. Ole’ Bucky turned 75, representing 75 years of firing up fans, making little kids cry, and messing with beat reporters and staff photographers on the sidelines.

Yes, Bucky Badger, ahem, Buckingham U. Badger, is 75 years old today, although you couldn’t tell by the youthful enthusiasm he shows day in, day out on the football field, basketball court, hockey rink, and all the other venues around Madison Bucky frequents.

Bucky’s birthday, Oct. 2, 1940, represents the day Bucky’s likeness earned a copyright, and was designated by the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., according to UWBadgers.com. While badgers had been used to represent Wisconsin for many decades in Madison at the time, 1940 was the birth of the Bucky Badger mascot, who would evolve over time to the mascot we know and love today.

Since 1940, Bucky has been roaming the sidelines to fire up the crowds, and the players, at collegiate games and other venues. His playful nature endears him to fans — everybody loves Bucky!

In 2006 Bucky Badger was inducted as a charter member of the Mascot Hall of Fame, joining college mascots Aubie the Tiger of Auburn, Sparty from Michigan State, and YoUDee from the University of Delaware in the inaugural class. Other mascots included Philadelphia Phillies mascot the Phillie Phanatic, the Phoenix Suns Gorilla, and more.

A great watch for those looking to learn more about Bucky Badger is “Being Bucky,” a “buckumentory” about those who put on Bucky to entertain the Wisconsin faithful.

Here’s to another 75 years with Bucky Badger leading Wisconsin!

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