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Wisconsin Badger Notables
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Badger Nickname:
'Badgers,' was borrowed from the state of
Wisconsin. The territory was dubbed the 'Badger State,' not because of animals in the region, but rather
an association with lead miners in the 1820s. Prospectors came to the state looking for minerals. Without
shelter in the winter, the miners had to 'live like badgers' in tunnels burrowed into hillsides.
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Bucky Badger:
Badgers in various forms have been recognized as the school
mascot for decades. The version currently kno-
wn as Bucky, sporting a cardinal and white letter sweater,
was first drawn in 1940 by artist Art Evans. At that time, the badger went by names like Benny, Buddy,
Bernie, Bobby and Bouncey. Art Lentz, the department's publicity director, had the idea to bring the
mascot to life.
The original badger mascot was too vicious to control. On more than one occasion, the live badger escaped
handlers before a sideline hero recaptured the animal with a flying tackle. It was decided in the interest
of fan and player safety that Wisconsin's mascot be retired to the Madison Zoo. The Badger Yearbook replaced
the live badger with a small raccoon named Regdab (badger backwards) and passed it off as a 'badger in a
raccoon coat.'
In 1949, a student in the university's art department, Connie Conrad, was commissioned to mold a paper-mache
badger head. Gymnast and cheerleader, Bill Sagal, of Plymouth, Wis., was directed by homecoming chair Bill
Sachse, to wear the outfit at the homecoming game. A contest was staged to name the popular mascot. The winner
was Buckingham U. Badger, or Bucky. The name apparently came from the lyrics in a song which encouraged the
football team to 'buck right through that line.'
Bucky Badger has persevered through the years, even surviving a threat by then assistant attorney general,
Howard Koop, in 1973. He suggested that Bucky be replaced by Henrietta Holstein, a loveable cow. Koop argued
that 'kids love cows. A generation could grow up supporting the university and Henrietta Holstein.' Koop's
effort to overthrow Bucky failed.
Bucky even survived a cameo appearance by former Sports Illustrated writer Rick Telander. In preparation for
a book about the athletic department, Telander wore Bucky's costume at a '91 volleyball game. Telander
overcame 'terminal claustrophobia' in his appearance.
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- BadgerS
