Collegiate Luggage .com - Remembering Uga VI

The beloved mascot of the University of Georgia, Uga VI, passed away at the age of nine on June 27th, 2008. Anybody who knows anything about the sport of college football knows that this, according to the UGA faithful, is the premier mascot in all of college football (and maybe even all of sports).

I personally had a chance to meet this fine animal and even pet and take a picture with him as a guest of the UGA Alumni Association in their skybox suite during the halftime. He was exceedingly friendly and actually seemed to enjoy the attentions of the loooong line of fans waiting semi-patiently to meet him and take a picture together.

With me that day was a friend, Matt, who had recently been displaced from his home in New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. He had lost his car, house, tools (he is a carpenter and movie set-builder), and all of his possessions. My wife gave up her ticket to the game so Matt could come with me and forget his troubles while watching Georgia's football team win a home game. He wrote to me upon hearing about his favorite bulldog with these words:

"It was because of your generosity [inviting me to the game] in a time of great tragedy for me that I had a chance to meet Uga. Who would have thought that something as simple as encountering a friendly white bulldog would make such a difference? That afternoon meant a great deal to me - I will never forget it."

Uga VI, who would have turned 10 on July 22, will be buried in a marble vault in the Southwest corner of Sanford Stadium with his predecessors.